Shading System Including Voice Recognition or Artificial Intelligent Capabilities

ABSTRACT

An intelligent umbrella system, comprises one or more shading elements; a support assembly, coupled to the one or more shading elements, to provide support for the one or more shading elements; and a base assembly, coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact with a surface. The intelligent umbrella also includes one or more microphones to capture spoken or audio commands; one or more processors; one or more memory modules; and one or more wireless communication transceivers. The intelligent umbrella system includes computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules that are executed by the one or more processors to convert the captured audio commands into audio files; and perform voice recognition on the converted audio files to generate instructions or commands based, at least in part, on the converted audio files.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/418,380, filed Jan. 27, 2017, entitled “ShadingSystem with Artificial Intelligence Application Programming Interface,”which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No.15/394,080, filed Dec. 29, 2016, entitled “Modular Umbrella ShadingSystem,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a modular umbrellashading system utilizing voice recognition and/or artificialintelligence and specifically to an intelligent automated electronicumbrella that includes components to allow for a plurality ofconfigurations and also to utilize artificial intelligence and voicerecognition.

2. Information/Background of the Invention

Conventional sun shading devices and systems usually are comprised of asupporting frame and an awning or fabric mounted on the supporting frameto cover a pre-defined area. For example, a conventional sun shadingdevice or system may be an outdoor umbrella or an outdoor awning.

However, current sun shading devices or systems do not appear to becustomizable to unique needs of consumers. Customers may have sunshading devices or systems installed in different size areas, indifferent environments, and require different features and/or options.In addition current sun shading devices and/or systems do not appear tobe flexible, modifiable or able to adapt to changing environmentalconditions. Further, many of the current sun shading devices appear torequire manual operation in order to change inclination angle of theframe to more fully protect an individual from the environment. Further,the current sun shading devices appear to have one (or a single) awningor fabric piece that is mounted to an interconnected unitary frame. Aninterconnected unitary frame may not be able to be opened or deployed inmany situations. Accordingly, alternative embodiments may be desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects are described with reference tothe following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a modular umbrella system according to embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away drawing of mechanical assemblies in amodular umbrella system according to embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of a modular umbrella system utilizingdirectional measuring devices according to embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella systemcomprising directional measuring devices according to embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according toembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a modular umbrella system including an identificationsystem according to embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates use of a web server and/or cloud-based server forauthentication of a user and/or a mobile computing device utilizing amodular umbrella system;

FIG. 8 illustrates a mobile point-of-sale system utilizing a mobilecomputing device, one or more modular umbrella systems and a serveraccording to embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile computing device controlling operation ofone or more modular umbrella systems according to embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella system withinduction and/or wireless charging to provide power to components andassemblies according to embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a process of controlling a modularumbrella system by an object accordingly to embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates remote operation of a modular umbrella systemaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella systemaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates a base surface attachment according to embodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates a clutch system according to embodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a movement control PCB accordingto embodiments;

FIG. 17 illustrates a power subsystem in a modular umbrella systemaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 18 illustrates a shading object or umbrella integrated computingdevice in a modular umbrella system according to embodiments;

FIG. 19A illustrates a block diagram illustrating a power down sequencesaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 19B illustrates a dataflow diagram illustrating power downsequences according to embodiments;

FIG. 20A illustrates a shading system including an artificialintelligence engine and/or artificial intelligence interface;

FIG. 20B illustrates a block and dataflow diagram of communicationsbetween a shading system and/or one or more external AI serversaccording to embodiments;

FIG. 21 illustrates an intelligence shading system comprising a shadinghousing wherein a shading housing comprises an AI API;

FIG. 22 illustrate a modular umbrella shading system communicating withan IoT-enabled server or computing device according to embodiments;

FIG. 23 illustrates a smart home or smart office IoT-enabled servercommunicating and transferring information to a modular umbrella shadingsystem according to embodiments; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a IoT software application communication with aplurality of modular shading umbrella systems according to embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. Forpurposes of explanation, specific numbers, systems and/or configurationsare set forth, for example. However, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art having benefit of this disclosure thatclaimed subject matter may be practiced without specific details. Inother instances, well-known features may be omitted and/or simplified soas not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features havebeen illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications,substitutions, changes and/or equivalents may occur to those skilled inthe art. It is, therefore, to be understood that appended claims areintended to cover any and all modifications and/or changes as fallwithin claimed subject matter.

References throughout this specification to one implementation, animplementation, one embodiment, embodiments, an embodiment and/or thelike means that a particular feature, structure, and/or characteristicdescribed in connection with a particular implementation and/orembodiment is included in at least one implementation and/or embodimentof claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of such phrases, forexample, in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily intended to refer to the same implementation or to any oneparticular implementation described. Furthermore, it is to be understoodthat particular features, structures, and/or characteristics describedare capable of being combined in various ways in one or moreimplementations and, therefore, are within intended claim scope, forexample. In general, of course, these and other issues vary withcontext. Therefore, particular context of description and/or usageprovides helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn.

With advances in technology, it has become more typical to employdistributed computing approaches in which portions of a problem, such assignal processing of signal samples, for example, may be allocated amongcomputing devices, including one or more clients and/or one or moreservers, via a computing and/or communications network, for example. Anetwork may comprise two or more network devices and/or may couplenetwork devices so that signal communications, such as in the form ofsignal packets and/or frames (e.g., comprising one or more signalsamples), for example, may be exchanged, such as between a server and aclient device and/or other types of devices, including between wirelessdevices coupled via a wireless network, for example.

A network may comprise two or more network and/or computing devicesand/or may couple network and/or computing devices so that signalcommunications, such as in the form of signal packets, for example, maybe exchanged, such as between a server and a client device and/or othertypes of devices, including between wireless devices coupled via awireless network, for example.

In this context, the term network device refers to any device capable ofcommunicating via and/or as part of a network and may comprise acomputing device. While network devices may be capable of sending and/orreceiving signals (e.g., signal packets and/or frames), such as via awired and/or wireless network, they may also be capable of performingarithmetic and/or logic operations, processing and/or storing signals(e.g., signal samples), such as in memory as physical memory states,and/or may, for example, operate as a server in various embodiments.

Computing devices, mobile computing devices, and/or network devicescapable of operating as a server, or otherwise, may include, asexamples, rack-mounted servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, settop boxes, tablets, netbooks, smart phones, wearable devices, integrateddevices combining two or more features of the foregoing devices, thelike or any combination thereof. As mentioned, signal packets and/orframes, for example, may be exchanged, such as between a server and aclient device and/or other types of network devices, including betweenwireless devices coupled via a wireless network, for example. It isnoted that the terms, server, server device, server computing device,server computing platform and/or similar terms are used interchangeably.Similarly, the terms client, client device, client computing device,client computing platform and/or similar terms are also usedinterchangeably. While in some instances, for ease of description, theseterms may be used in the singular, such as by referring to a “clientdevice” or a “server device,” the description is intended to encompassone or more client devices and/or one or more server devices, asappropriate. Along similar lines, references to a “database” areunderstood to mean, one or more databases, database servers, applicationdata servers, proxy servers, and/or portions thereof, as appropriate.

It should be understood that for ease of description a network devicemay be embodied and/or described in terms of a computing device and/ormobile computing device. However, it should further be understood thatthis description should in no way be construed that claimed subjectmatter is limited to one embodiment, such as a computing device or anetwork device, and, instead, may be embodied as a variety of devices orcombinations thereof, including, for example, one or more illustrativeexamples.

Operations and/or processing, such as in association with networks, suchas computing and/or communications networks, for example, may involvephysical manipulations of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, these quantities may take the form of electrical and/ormagnetic signals capable of, for example, being stored, transferred,combined, processed, compared and/or otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient, at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, data, values, elements, symbols,characters, terms, numbers, numerals and/or the like.

Likewise, in this context, the terms “coupled”, “connected,” and/orsimilar terms are used generically. It should be understood that theseterms are not intended as synonyms. Rather, “connected” is usedgenerically to indicate that two or more components, for example, are indirect physical, including electrical, contact; while, “coupled” is usedgenerically to mean that two or more components are potentially indirect physical, including electrical, contact; however, “coupled” isalso used generically to also mean that two or more components are notnecessarily in direct contact, but nonetheless are able to co-operateand/or interact. The term “coupled” is also understood generically tomean indirectly connected, for example, in an appropriate context. In acontext of this application, if signals, instructions, and/or commandsare transmitted from one component (e.g., a controller or processor) toanother component (or assembly), it is understood that messages,signals, instructions, and/or commands may be transmitted directly to acomponent, or may pass through a number of other components on a way toa destination component. For example, a signal transmitted from a motorcontroller or processor to a motor (or other driving assembly) may passthrough glue logic, an amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, adigital-to-analog converter, another controller and/or processor, and/oran interface. Similarly, a signal communicated through a misting systemmay pass through an air conditioning and/or a heating module, and asignal communicated from any one or a number of sensors to a controllerand/or processor may pass through a conditioning module, ananalog-to-digital controller, and/or a comparison module, and/or anumber of other electrical assemblies and/or components.

The terms, “and”, “or”, “and/or” and/or similar terms, as used herein,include a variety of meanings that also are expected to depend at leastin part upon the particular context in which such terms are used.Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, isintended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as wellas A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term“one or more” and/or similar terms is used to describe any feature,structure, and/or characteristic in the singular and/or is also used todescribe a plurality and/or some other combination of features,structures and/or characteristics.

Likewise, the term “based on,” “based, at least in part on,” and/orsimilar terms (e.g., based at least in part on) are understood as notnecessarily intending to convey an exclusive set of factors, but toallow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expresslydescribed. Of course, for all of the foregoing, particular context ofdescription and/or usage provides helpful guidance regarding inferencesto be drawn. It should be noted that the following description merelyprovides one or more illustrative examples and claimed subject matter isnot limited to these one or more illustrative examples; however, again,particular context of description and/or usage provides helpful guidanceregarding inferences to be drawn.

A network may also include for example, past, present and/or future massstorage, such as network attached storage (NAS), cloud storage, astorage area network (SAN), cloud storage, cloud server farms, and/orother forms of computing and/or device readable media, for example. Anetwork may include a portion of the Internet, one or more local areanetworks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), wire-line typeconnections, one or more personal area networks (PANs), wireless typeconnections, one or more mesh networks, one or more cellularcommunication networks, other connections, or any combination thereof.Thus, a network may be worldwide in scope and/or extent.

The Internet and/or a global communications network may refer to adecentralized global network of interoperable networks that comply withthe Internet Protocol (IP). It is noted that there are several versionsof the Internet Protocol. Here, the term Internet Protocol, IP, and/orsimilar terms, is intended to refer to any version, now known and/orlater developed of the Internet Protocol. The Internet may include localarea networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks,and/or long haul public networks that, for example, may allow signalpackets and/or frames to be communicated between LANs. The term WorldWide Web (WWW or Web) and/or similar terms may also be used, although itrefers to a part of the Internet that complies with the HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP). For example, network devices and/or computingdevices may engage in an HTTP session through an exchange ofappropriately compatible and/or compliant signal packets and/or frames.Here, the term Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP, and/or similar termsis intended to refer to any version, now known and/or later developed.It is likewise noted that in various places in this documentsubstitution of the term Internet with the term World Wide Web (‘Web’)may be made without a significant departure in meaning and may,therefore, not be inappropriate in that the statement would remaincorrect with such a substitution.

Although claimed subject matter is not in particular limited in scope tothe Internet and/or to the Web; nonetheless, the Internet and/or the Webmay without limitation provide a useful example of an embodiment atleast for purposes of illustration. As indicated, the Internet and/orthe Web may comprise a worldwide system of interoperable networks,including interoperable devices within those networks. A contentdelivery server and/or the Internet and/or the Web, therefore, in thiscontext, may comprise an service that organizes stored content, such as,for example, text, images, video, etc., through the use of hypermedia,for example. A HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”), Cascading StyleSheets (“CSS”) or Extensible Markup Language (“XML”), for example, maybe utilized to specify content and/or to specify a format for hypermediatype content, such as in the form of a file and/or an “electronicdocument,” such as a Web page, for example. HTML and/or XML are merelyexample languages provided as illustrations and intended to refer to anyversion, now known and/or developed at another time and claimed subjectmatter is not intended to be limited to examples provided asillustrations, of course.

Also as used herein, one or more parameters may be descriptive of acollection of signal samples, such as one or more electronic documents,and exist in the form of physical signals and/or physical states, suchas memory states. For example, one or more parameters, such as referringto an electronic document comprising an image, may include parameters,such as 1) time of day at which an image was captured, latitude andlongitude of an image capture device, such as a camera; 2) time and dayof when a sensor reading (e.g., humidity, temperature, air quality, UVradiation) was received; and/or 3) operating conditions of one or moremotors or other components or assemblies in a modular umbrella shadingsystem. Claimed subject matter is intended to embrace meaningful,descriptive parameters in any format, so long as the one or moreparameters comprise physical signals and/or states, which may include,as parameter examples, name of the collection of signals and/or states.

Some portions of the detailed description which follow are presented interms of algorithms or symbolic representations of operations on binarydigital signals stored within a memory of a specific apparatus orspecial purpose computing device or platform. In the context of thisparticular specification, the term specific apparatus or the likeincludes a general purpose computer once it is programmed to performparticular functions pursuant to instructions from program software. Inembodiments, a modular umbrella shading system may comprise a computingdevice installed within or as part of a modular umbrella system,intelligent umbrella and/or intelligent shading charging system.Algorithmic descriptions or symbolic representations are examples oftechniques used by those of ordinary skill in the signal processing orrelated arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled inthe art. An algorithm is here, and generally, considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar signal processingleading to a desired result. In this context, operations or processinginvolve physical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically,although not necessarily, such quantities may take the form ofelectrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred,combined, compared or otherwise manipulated.

It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of commonusage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values, elements,symbols, numbers, numerals or the like, and that these are conventionallabels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is appreciated thatthroughout this specification discussions utilizing terms such as“processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like mayrefer to actions or processes of a specific apparatus, such as a specialpurpose computer or a similar special purpose electronic computingdevice (e.g., such as a shading object computing device). In the contextof this specification, therefore, a special purpose computer or asimilar special purpose electronic computing device (e.g., a modularumbrella computing device) is capable of manipulating or transformingsignals (electronic and/or magnetic) in memories (or componentsthereof), other storage devices, transmission devices sound reproductiondevices, and/or display devices.

In an embodiment, a controller and/or a processor typically performs aseries of instructions resulting in data manipulation. In an embodiment,a microcontroller or microprocessor may be a compact microcomputerdesigned to govern the operation of embedded systems in electronicdevices, e.g., an intelligent, automated shading object or umbrella,modular umbrella, and/or shading charging systems, and various otherelectronic and mechanical devices coupled thereto or installed thereon.Microcontrollers may include processors, microprocessors, and otherelectronic components. Controller may be a commercially availableprocessor such as an Intel Pentium, Motorola PowerPC, SGI MIPS, SunUltraSPARC, or Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC processor, but may be any type ofapplication-specific and/or specifically designed processor orcontroller. In an embodiment, a processor and/or controller may beconnected to other system elements, including one or more memorydevices, by a bus, a mesh network or other mesh components. Usually, aprocessor or controller, may execute an operating system which may be,for example, a Windows-based operating system (Microsoft), a MAC OSSystem X operating system (Apple Computer), one of many Linux-basedoperating system distributions (e.g., an open source operating system) aSolaris operating system (Sun), a portable electronic device operatingsystem (e.g., mobile phone operating systems), microcomputer operatingsystems, and/or a UNIX operating systems. Embodiments are not limited toany particular implementation and/or operating system.

The specification may refer to a modular umbrella shading system (or anintelligent shading object or an intelligent umbrella) as an apparatusthat provides shade and/or coverage to a user from weather elements suchas sun, wind, rain, and/or hail. In embodiments, the modular umbrellashading system may be an automated intelligent shading object, automatedintelligent umbrella, and/or automated intelligent shading chargingsystem. The modular umbrella shading system and/or automated shadingobject or umbrella may also be referred to as a parasol, intelligentumbrella, sun shade, outdoor shade furniture, sun screen, sun shelter,awning, sun cover, sun marquee, brolly and other similar names, whichmay all be utilized interchangeably in this application. Shading objectsand/or modular umbrella shading systems which also have electric vehiclecharging capabilities may also be referred to as intelligent umbrellacharging systems. These terms may be utilized interchangeably throughoutthe specification. The modular umbrella systems, shading objects,intelligent umbrellas, umbrella charging systems and shading chargingsystems described herein comprises many novel and non-obvious features,which are described in detail in the following patent applications, U.S.non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/273,669, filed Sep. 22, 2016,entitled “Mobile Computing Device Control of Shading Object, IntelligentUmbrella and Intelligent Shading Charging System,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No.15/268,199, filed Sep. 16, 2016, entitled “Automatic Operation ofShading Object, Intelligent Umbrella and Intelligent Shading ChargingSystem,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisionalapplication Ser. No. 15/242,970, filed Aug. 22, 2016, entitled “ShadingObject, Intelligent Umbrella and Intelligent Shading Charging SecuritySystem and Method of Operation,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/225,838, filed Aug. 2, 2016,entitled “Remote Control of Shading Object and/or Intelligent Umbrella,”which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/219,292, filed Jul. 26, 2016, entitled “ShadingObject, Intelligent Umbrella and Intelligent Shading Object IntegratedCamera and Method of Operation,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/214,471, filed Jul. 20,2016, entitled “Computer-Readable Instructions Executable by a Processorto Operate a Shading Object, Intelligent Umbrella and/or IntelligentShading Charging System,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/212,173, filed Jul. 15,2016, entitled “Intelligent Charging Shading Systems,” which is acontinuation-in-part of application of U.S. non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/160,856, filed May 20, 2016, entitled “AutomatedIntelligent Shading Objects and Computer-Readable Instructions forInterfacing With, Communicating With and Controlling a Shading Object,”and is also a continuation-in-part of application of U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/160,822, filed May 20,2016, entitled “Intelligent Shading Objects with Integrated ComputingDevice,” both of which claim the benefit of U.S. provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/333,822, entitled “Automated Intelligent ShadingObjects and Computer-Readable Instructions for Interfacing With,Communicating With and Controlling a Shading Object,” filed May 9, 2016,the disclosures of which are all hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates a modular umbrella shading system according toembodiments. In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 comprises abase assembly or module 110, a first extension assembly or module 120, acore assembly module housing (or core umbrella assembly) 130, a secondextension assembly or module 150, and an expansion sensor assembly ormodule (or an arm extension assembly or module) 160. In embodiments, amodular umbrella shading system 100 may not comprise a base assembly ormodule 110 and may comprise a table assembly or module 180 to connect totable tops, such as patio tables and/or other outdoor furniture. Inembodiments, a table assembly or module 180 may comprise a tableattachment and/or a table receptacle. In embodiments, a base module orassembly 110 may comprise a circular base component 112, a square orrectangular base component 113, a rounded edges base component 114,and/or a beach or sand base component 115. In embodiments, basecomponents 112, 113, 114, and/or 115 may be interchangeable based upon aconfiguration required by an umbrella system and/or user. Inembodiments, each of the different options for the base components 112,113, 114, 115, and/or 180 may have a universal connector and/orreceptacle to allow for easy interchangeability.

In embodiments, a first extension assembly or module 120 may comprise ashaft assembly having a first end 121 and a second end 122. Inembodiments, a first end 121 may be detachably connectable and/orconnected to a base assembly or module 110. In embodiments, a second end122 may be detachably connected and/or connectable to a first end of acore umbrella assembly or module 130. In embodiments, a first end 121and a second end 122 may have a universal umbrella connector. In otherwords, a connector may be universal within all modules and/or assembliesof a modular umbrella system to provide a benefit of allowing backwardscapabilities with new versions of different modules and/or assemblies ofa modular umbrella shading system. In embodiments, a first extensionassembly or module 120 may have different lengths. In embodiments,different length first extension assemblies may allow a modular umbrellashading system to have different clearance heights between a baseassembly or module 110 and/or a core umbrella assembly or module 130. Inembodiments, a first extension assembly or module 110 may be a tubeand/or a shell with channels, grooves and/or pathways for electricalwires and/or components and/or mechanical components. In embodiments, afirst extension assembly 110 may be a shaft assembly having an innercore comprising channels, grooves and/or pathways for electrical wires,connectors and/or components and/or mechanical components.

In embodiments, a universal umbrella connector or connection assembly124 may refer to a connection pair and/or connection assembly that maybe uniform for all modules, components and/or assemblies of a modularumbrella system 100. In embodiments, having a universal umbrellaconnector or connection assembly 124 may allow interchangeability and/orbackward compatibility of the various assemblies and/or modules of themodular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, for example, a diameter ofall or most of universal connectors 124 utilized in a modular umbrellasystem may be the same. In embodiments, a universal connector orconnection assembly 124 may be a twist-on connector. In embodiments, auniversal connector 124 may be a drop in connector and/or a lockingconnector, having a male and female connector. In embodiments, auniversal connector or connection assembly 124 may be a plug withanother connector being a receptacle. In embodiments, universalconnector 124 may be an interlocking plug receptacle combination. Forexample, universal connector 124 may be a plug and receptacle, jack andplug, flanges for connection, threaded plugs and threaded receptacles,snap fit connectors, adhesive or friction connectors. In embodiments,for example, universal connector or connection assembly 124 may beexternal connectors engaged with threaded internal connections, snap-fitconnectors, push fit couplers. In embodiments, by having a universalconnector or connection assembly 124 for joints or connections between abase module or assembly 110 and a first extension module or assembly120, a first extension module or assembly 120 and a core assembly moduleor assembly 130, a core assembly module or assembly 130 and a secondextension module or assembly 150, and/or a second extension module orassembly 150 and an expansion sensor module or assembly 160, an umbrellaor shading object manufacturer may not need to provide additional partsfor additional connectors for attaching, coupling or connectingdifferent modules or assemblies of a modular umbrella shading system. Inaddition, modules and/or assemblies may be upgraded easily because onemodule and/or assembly may be switched out of a modular umbrella systemwithout having to purchase or procure additional modules because of theinteroperability and/or interchangeability.

In embodiments, a core umbrella assembly or module 130 may be positionedbetween a first extension assembly or module 120 and a second extensionassembly or module 150. In embodiments, core umbrella assembly or module130 may be positioned between a base assembly or module 110 and/or anexpansion and sensor module or assembly 160. In embodiments, a coreumbrella assembly or module 130 may comprise an upper core assembly 140,a core assembly connector or mid-section 141 and/or a lower coreassembly 142. In embodiments, a core assembly connector 141 may be asealer or sealed connection to protect a modular umbrella system fromenvironmental conditions. In embodiments, a core umbrella assembly ormodule 130 may comprise two or more motors or motor assemblies. Althoughthe specification may refer to a motor, a motor may be a motor assemblywith a motor controller, a motor, a stator, a rotor and/or adrive/output shaft. In embodiments, a core umbrella assembly 130 maycomprise an azimuth rotation motor 131, an elevation motor 132, and/or aspoke expansion/retraction motor 133. In embodiments, an azimuthrotation motor 131 may cause a core umbrella assembly 130 to rotateclockwise or counterclockwise about a base assembly or module 110 or atable connection assembly 180. In embodiments, an azimuth rotation motor131 may cause a core umbrella assembly 130 to rotate about an azimuthaxis. In embodiments, a core umbrella assembly or module 130 may rotateup to 360 degrees with respect to a base assembly or module 130.

In embodiments, an elevation motor 132 may cause an upper core assembly140 to rotate with respect to a lower core assembly 142. In embodiments,an elevation motor 130 may rotate an upper core assembly 140 between 0to 90 degrees with respect to the lower core assembly 142. Inembodiments, an elevation motor 130 may rotate an upper module orassembly 140 between 0 to 30 degrees with respect to a lower assembly ormodule 142. In embodiments, an original position may be where an uppercore assembly 140 is positioned in line and above the lower coreassembly 142, as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

In embodiments, a spoke expansion motor 133 may be connected to anexpansion and sensor assembly module 160 via a second extension assemblyor module 150 and cause spoke or arm support assemblies in a spokeexpansion sensor assembly module 160 to deploy or retract outward and/orupward from an expansion sensor assembly module 160. In embodiments, anexpansion extension assembly module 160 may comprise a rack gear andspoke connector assemblies (or arms). In embodiments, a spoke expansionmotor 133 may be coupled and/or connected to a hollow tube via a gearingassembly, and may cause a hollow tube to move up or down (e.g., in avertical direction). In embodiments, a hollow tube may be connectedand/or coupled to a rack gear, which may be connected and/or coupled tospoke connector assemblies. In embodiments, movement of a hollow tube ina vertical direction may cause spoke assemblies and/or arms to bedeployed and/or retracted. In embodiments, spoke connector assembliesand/or arms may have a corresponding and/or associated gear at avertical rack gear.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise motor controlcircuitry 134 (e.g., a motion control board 134) that controls operationof an azimuth motor 131, an elevation motor 132 and/or an expansionmotor 133, along with other components and/or assemblies. Inembodiments, the core assembly module 130 may comprise one or morebatteries 135 (e.g., rechargeable batteries) for providing power toelectrical and mechanical components in the modular umbrella system 100.For example, one or more batteries 135 may provide power to motioncontrol circuitry 134, an azimuth motor 131, an expansion motor 133, anelevation motor 132, a camera 137, a proximity sensor 138, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) sensor 138. In embodiments, one or more batteries135 may provide power to an integrated computing device 136, although inother embodiments, an integrated computing device 136 may also compriseits own battery (e.g., rechargeable battery).

In embodiments, the core assembly 130 may comprise a separate and/orintegrated computing device 136. In embodiments, a separate computingdevice 136 may comprise a Raspberry Pi computing device, othersingle-board computers and/or single-board computing device. Because amodular umbrella shading system has a limited amount of space, asingle-board computing device is a solution that allows for increasedfunctionality without taking up too much space in an interior of amodular umbrella shading system. In embodiments, a separate computingdevice 136 may handle video, audio and/or image editing, processing,and/or storage for a modular umbrella shading system 100 (which are moredata intensive functions and thus require more processing bandwidthand/or power). In embodiments, an upper core assembly 140 may compriseone or more rechargeable batteries 135, a motion control board (ormotion control circuitry) 134, a spoke expansion motor 133 and/or aseparate and/or integrated computing device 136.

In embodiments, a core assembly connector/cover 141 may cover and/orsecure a connector between an upper core assembly 140 and a lower coreassembly 142. In embodiments, a core assembly connector and/or cover 141may provide protection from water and/or other environmental conditions.In other words, a core assembly connector and/or cover 141 may make acore assembly 130 waterproof and/or water resistant and in otherenvironments, may protect an interior of a core assembly from sunlight,cold or hot temperatures, humidity and/or smoke. In embodiments, a coreassembly connector/cover 141 may be comprised of a rubber material,although a plastic and/or fiberglass material may be utilized. Inembodiments, a core assembly connector/cover 141 may be comprised of aflexible material, silicone, and/or a membrane In embodiments, a coreassembly connector/cover 141 may be circular and/or oval in shape andmay have an opening in a middle to allow assemblies and/or components topass freely through an interior of a core assembly connector or cover141. In embodiments, a core assembly connector/cover 141 may adhere toan outside surface of an upper core assembly 140 and a lower coreassembly 142. In embodiments, a core assembly connector/cover 141 may beconnected, coupled, fastened and/or have a grip or to an outside surfaceof the upper core assembly 140 and the lower core assembly 142. Inembodiments, a core assembly connector and/or cover 141 may beconnected, coupled, adhered and/or fastened to a surface (e.g., top orbottom surface) of an upper core assembly and/or lower core assembly142. In embodiments, a core assembly connector/cover 141 may cover ahinging assembly and/or reparation point, springs, and wires that arepresent between an upper core assembly 140 and/or a lower core assembly142.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise one or morecameras 137. In embodiments, one or more cameras 137 may be captureimages, videos and/or sound of an area and/or environment surrounding amodular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a lower core assembly 142may comprise one or more cameras 137. In embodiments, a camera 137 mayonly capture sound if a user selects a sound capture mode on a modularumbrella system 100 (e.g., via a button and/or switch) or via a softwareapplication controlling operation of a modular umbrella system (e.g., amicrophone or recording icon is selected in a modular umbrella systemsoftware application).

In embodiments, a core assembly 130 may comprise a power button tomanually turn on or off power to components of a modular umbrellasystem. In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise oneor more proximity sensors 138. In embodiments, one or more proximitysensors 138 may detect whether or not an individual and/or subject maybe within a known distance from a modular umbrella system 100. Inembodiments, in response to a detection of proximity of an individualand/or subject, a proximity sensor 138 may communicate a signal,instruction, message and/or command to motion control circuitry (e.g., amotion control PCB 134) and/or a computing device 136 to activate and/ordeactivate assemblies and components of a modular umbrella system 100.In embodiments, a lower core assembly 142 may comprise a proximitysensor 138 and a power button. For example, a proximity sensor 138 maydetect whether an object is within proximity of a modular umbrellasystem and may communicate a message to a motion control PCB 134 toinstruct an azimuth motor 131 to stop rotating a base assembly ormodule.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise a near-fieldcommunication (NFC) sensor 139. In embodiments, a NFC sensor 139 may beutilized to identify authorized users of a modular umbrella shadingsystem 100. In embodiments, for example, a user may have a mobilecomputing device with a NFC sensor which may communicate, pair and/orauthenticate in combination with a modular umbrella system NFC sensor139 to provide user identification information. In embodiments, a NFCsensor 139 may communicate and/or transmit a signal, message, commandand/or instruction based on a user's identification information tocomputer-readable instructions resident within a computing device and/orother memory of a modular umbrella system to verify a user isauthenticated and/or authorized to utilize a modular umbrella system100.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise a coolingsystem and/or heat dissipation system 143. In embodiments, a coolingsystem 143 may be one or more channels in an interior of a core assemblyor module 130 that direct air flow from outside a modular umbrellasystem across components, motors, circuits and/or assembles inside acore assembly 130. For example, one or more channels and/or fins may becoupled and/or attached to components, motors and/or circuits, and airmay flow through channels to fins and/or components, motors and/orcircuits. In embodiments, a cooling system 143 may lower operatingtemperatures of components, motors, circuits and/or assemblies of amodular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a cooling system 143 mayalso comprise one or more plates and/or fins attached to circuits,components and/or assemblies and also attached to channels to lowerinternal operating temperatures. In embodiments, a cooling system 143may also move hot air from electrical and/or mechanical assemblies tooutside a core assembly. In embodiments, a cooling system 143 may befins attached to or vents in a body of a core assembly 130. Inembodiments, fins and/or vents of a cooling system 143 may dissipateheat from electrical and mechanical components and/or assemblies of thecore module or assembly 130.

In embodiments, a separate, detachable and/or connectable skin may beattached, coupled, adhered and/or connected to a core module assembly130. In embodiments, a detachable and/or connectable skin may provideadditional protection for a core assembly module against water, smoke,wind and/or other environmental conditions and/or factors. Inembodiments, a skin may adhere to an outer surface of a coreassembly.130. In embodiments, a skin may have a connector on an insidesurface of the skin and core assembly 130 may have a mating receptacleon an outside surface. In embodiments, a skin may magnetically couple toa core assembly 130. In embodiments, a skin may be detachable andremovable from a core assembly so that a skin may be changed fordifferent environmental conditions and/or factors. In embodiments, askin may connect to an entire core assembly. In embodiments, a skin mayconnect to portions of an upper core assembly 140 and/or a lower coreassembly 142. In embodiments, a skin may not connect to a middle portionof a core assembly 130 (or a core assembly cover connector 141). Inembodiments, a skin may be made of a flexible material to allow forbending of a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a baseassembly 110, a first extension assembly 120, a core module assembly130, a second extension assembly 140 and/or an arm extension and sensorassembly 160 may also comprise one or more skin assemblies. Inembodiments, a skin assembly may provide a cover for a majority of allof a surface area one or more of the base assembly, first extensionassembly 120, core module assembly 130, second extension assembly 150and/or arm extension sensor assembly 160. In embodiments, a coreassembly module 130 may further comprise channels on an outside surface.In embodiments, a skin assembly may comprise two pieces. In embodiments,a skin assembly may comprise edges and/or ledges. In embodiments, edgesand/or ledges of a skin assembly may be slid into channels of a coreassembly module 130. In embodiments, a base assembly 110, a firstextension assembly 120, a second extension assembly 140 and/or an armexpansion sensor assembly 160 may also comprise an outer skin assembly.In embodiments, skin assemblies for these assemblies may be uniform topresent a common industrial design. In embodiments, skin assemblies maybe different if such as a configuration is desired by a user. Inembodiments, skin assemblies may be comprise of a plastic, a hardplastic, fiberglass, aluminum, other light metals (including aluminum),and/or composite materials including metals, plastic, wood. Inembodiments, a core assembly module 130, a first extension assembly 120,a second extension assembly 150, an arm expansion sensor assembly 160,and/or a base assembly 110 may be comprised of aluminum, light metals,plastic, hard plastics, foam materials, and/or composite materialsincluding metals, plastic, wood. In embodiments, a skin assembly may beprovide protection from environmental conditions (such as sun, rain,and/or wind).

In embodiments, a second extension assembly 150 connects and/or couplesa core assembly module 130 to an expansion assembly sensor module(and/or arm extension assembly module) 160. In embodiments, an expansionsensor assembly module 160 may have universal connectors and/orreceptacles on both ends to connect or couple to universal receptaclesand/or connectors, on the core assembly 130 and/or expansion sensorassembly module 160. FIG. 1 illustrates that a second extension assemblyor module 150 may have three lengths. In embodiments, a second extensionassembly 150 may have one of a plurality of lengths depending on howmuch clearance a user and/or owner may like to have between a coreassembly module 130 and spokes of an expansion sensor assembly or module160. In embodiments, a second extension assembly or module 150 maycomprise a hollow tube and/or channels for wires and/or other componentsthat pass through the second extension assembly or module 150. Inembodiments, a hollow tube 249 may be coupled, connected and/or fixed toa nut that is connected to, for example, a threaded rod (which is partof an expansion motor assembly). In embodiments, a hollow tube 249 maybe moved up and down based on movement of the threaded rod. Inembodiments, a hollow tube in a second extension assembly may bereplaced by a shaft and/or rod assembly.

In embodiments, an expansion and sensor module 160 may be connectedand/or coupled to a second extension assembly or module 150. Inembodiments, an expansion and sensor assembly or module 160 may beconnected and/or coupled to a second extension assembly or module 150via a universal connector. In embodiments, an expansion and sensorassembly or module 160 may comprise an arm or spoke expansion sensorassembly 162 and a sensor assembly housing 168. In embodiments, anexpansion and sensor assembly or module 160 may be connected to a hollowtube 249 and thus coupled to a threaded rod. In embodiments, when ahollow tube moves up and down, an arm or spoke expansion assembly 162opens and/or retracts, which causes spokes/blades 164 of an armextension assembly 163. In embodiments, arms, spokes and/or blades 164may detachably connected to the arm or spoke support assemblies 163.

In embodiments, an expansion and sensor assembly module 160 may have aplurality of arms, spokes or blades 164 (which may be detachable orremovable). Because the umbrella system is modular and/or adjustable tomeet needs of user and/or environment, an arm or spoke expansionassembly 162 may not have a set number of arm, blade or spoke supportassemblies 163. In embodiments, a user and/or owner may determine and/orconfigure a modular umbrella system 100 with a number or arms, spokes,or blades extensions 163 (and thus detachable spokes, arms and/or blades164) necessary for a certain function and attach, couple and/or connectan expansion sensor assembly or module 160 with a spoke expansionassembly 162 with a desired number of blades, arms or spoke connectionsto a second extension module or assembly 150 and/or a core moduleassembly or housing 130. Prior umbrellas or shading systems utilize aset or established number of ribs and were not adjustable orconfigurable. In contrast, a modular umbrella system 100 describedherein has an ability to have a detachable and adjustable expansionsensor module 162 comprising an adjustable number of arm/spoke/bladesupport assemblies or connections 163 (and therefore a flexible andadjustable number of arms/spokes/blades 164), which provides a user withmultiple options in providing shade and/or protection. In embodiments,expansion and sensor expansion module 160 may be detachable or removablefrom a second extension module 150 and/or a core assembly module 130 andalso one or more spokes, arms and/or assemblies 164 may be detachable orremovable from arm or spoke support assemblies 163. Therefore, dependingon the application or use, a user, operator and/or owner may detachablyremove an expansion and sensor module or assembly 160 having a firstnumber of arm/blade/spoke support assemblies 163 and replace it with adifferent expansion sensor module or assembly 160 having a differentnumber of arm/blade/spoke support assemblies 163.

In embodiments, arms, blades and/or spokes 164 may be detachablyconnected and/or removable from one or more arm support assemblies 163.In embodiments, arms, blades, and/or spokes 164 may be snapped, adhered,coupled and/or connected to associated arm support assemblies 163. Inembodiments, arms, blades and/or spokes 164 may be detached, attachedand/or removed before deployment of the arm extension assemblies 163.

In embodiments, a shading fabric 165 may be connected, attached and/oradhered to one or more arm extension assemblies 163 and provide shadefor an area surrounding, below and/or adjacent to a modular umbrellasystem 100. In embodiments, a shading fabric (or multiple shadingfabrics) may be connected, attached, and/or adhered to one or morespokes, arms and/or blades 164. In embodiments, a shading fabric orcovering 165 may have integrated therein, one or more solar panelsand/or cells (not shown). In embodiments, solar panels and/or cells maygenerate electricity and convert the energy from a solar power source toelectricity. In embodiments, solar panels may be coupled to a shadingpower charging system (not shown). In embodiments, one or more solarpanels and/or cells may be positioned on top of a shading fabric 165. Inembodiments, one or more solar panels and/or cells may be connected,adhered, positioned, attached on and/or placed on a shading fabric 165.

In embodiments, an expansion sensor assembly or module 160 may compriseone or more audio speakers 167. In embodiments, an expansion sensorassembly or module 160 may further comprise an audio/video transceiver.In embodiments, a core assembly 130 may comprise and/or house anaudio/video transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth or other PAN transceiver,such as Bluetooth transceiver 197). In embodiments, an expansion sensorassembly or module 160 may comprise an audio/video transceiver (e.g., aBluetooth and/or PAN transceiver) In embodiments, an audio/videotransceiver in an expansion sensor assembly or module 160 may receiveaudio signals from an audio/video transceiver 197 in a core assembly130, convert to an electrical audio signal and reproduce the sound onone or more audio speakers 167, which projects sound in an outwardand/or downward fashion from a modular umbrella system 100. Inembodiments, one or more audio speakers 167 may be positioned and/orintegrated around a circumference of an expansion sensor assembly ormodule 160.

In embodiments, an expansion sensor assembly or module 160 may compriseone or more LED lighting assemblies 166. In embodiments, one or more LEDlighting assemblies 166 may comprise bulbs and/or LED lights and/or alight driver and/or ballast. In embodiments, an expansion sensorassembly or module 160 may comprise one or more LED lighting assembliespositioned around an outer surface of the expansion sensor assembly ormodule 160. In embodiments, one or more LED lighting assemblies 166 maydrive one or more lights. In embodiments, a light driver may receive asignal from a controller or a processor in a modular umbrella system 100to activate/deactivate LED lights. The LED lights may project light intoan area surrounding a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, oneor more lighting assemblies 166 may be recessed into an expansion orsensor module or assembly 160.

In embodiments, an arm expansion sensor housing or module 160 may alsocomprise a sensor housing 168. In embodiments, a sensor housing 168 maycomprise one or more environmental sensors, one or more telemetrysensors, and/or a sensor housing cover. In embodiments, one or moreenvironmental sensors may comprise one or more air quality sensors, oneor more UV radiation sensors, one or more digital barometer sensors, oneor more temperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, and/or one ormore wind speed sensors. In embodiments, one or more telemetry sensorsmay comprise a GPS/GNSS sensor and/or one or more digital compasssensors. In embodiments, a sensor housing 168 may also comprise one ormore accelerometers and/or one or more gyroscopes. In embodiments, asensor housing 168 may comprise sensor printed circuit boards and/or asensor cover (which may or may not be transparent). In embodiments, asensor printed circuit board may communicate with one or moreenvironmental sensors and/or one or more telemetry sensors (e.g.,receive measurements and/or raw data), process the measurements and/orraw data and communicate sensor measurements and/or data to a motioncontrol printed circuit board (e.g., controller) and/or a computingdevice (e.g., controller and/or processor). In embodiments, a sensorhousing 168 may be detachably connected to an arm connectionhousing/spoke connection housing to allow for different combinations ofsensors to be utilized for different umbrellas. In embodiments, a sensorcover of a sensor housing 168 may be clear and/or transparent to allowfor sensors to be protected from an environment around a modularumbrella system. In embodiments, a sensor cover may be moved and/oropened to allow for sensors (e.g., air quality sensors to obtain moreaccurate measurements and/or readings). In embodiments, a sensor printedcircuit board may comprise environmental sensors, telemetry sensors,accelerometers, gyroscopes, processors, memory, and/or controllers inorder to allow a sensor printed circuit board to receive measurementsand/or readings from sensors, process received sensor measurementsand/or readings, analyze sensor measurements and/or readings and/orcommunicate sensor measurements and/or readings to processors and/orcontrollers in a core assembly or module 130 of a modular umbrellasystem 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away drawing of mechanical assemblies in amodular umbrella system according to embodiments. In embodiments, amodular umbrella shading assembly 200 may comprise a base assembly 210,a first extension assembly 220, a core assembly or module 230, a basereceptacle 213, a force transfer shaft 212, an azimuth motor 231, and/oran azimuth motor shaft 229. In embodiments, a first extension assembly220 and a core assembly module 230 may rotate in a clockwise orcounterclockwise manner direction (as illustrated by reference number215) with respect to a base assembly 210. In embodiments, an azimuthmotor 231 comprises an azimuth motor shaft 229 that may rotate inresponse to activation and/or utilization of an azimuth motor 231. Inembodiments, an azimuth motor shaft 229 may be mechanically coupled(e.g., a gearing system, a friction-based system, etc.) to a forcetransfer shaft 212. In embodiments, an azimuth motor shaft 229 mayrotate in a clockwise and/or counterclockwise direction and in response,a force transfer shaft 212 may rotate in a same and/or oppositedirection. In embodiments, a force transfer shaft 212 may pass through afirst extension assembly 220 and may be mechanically coupled to a basereceptacle 213 in a base assembly 210. In response to, or due to,rotation of force transfer shaft 212 in a base receptacle 213, a firstextension assembly 220 and/or a core assembly 230 may rotate withrespect to the base assembly 210.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 200 may comprise a coreassembly 230 which may comprise a lower core assembly 242 and an uppercore assembly 240. In embodiments, a lower core assembly 242 maycomprise an elevation motor 232, an elevation motor shaft 233, a wormgear 234, and/or a speed reducing gear 235. In embodiments, a speedreducing gear 235 may be connected with a connector to a connectionplate 236. In embodiments, a lower core assembly 242 may be mechanicallycoupled to an upper core assembly 240 via a connection plate 236. Inembodiments, a connection plate 236 may be connected to an upper coreassembly 240 via a connector and/or fastener. In embodiments, anelevation motor 232 may cause rotation (e.g., clockwise orcounterclockwise) of an elevation motor shaft 233, which may bemechanically coupled to a worm gear 234. In embodiments, rotation of anelevation motor shaft 233 may cause rotation (e.g., clockwise orcounterclockwise) of a worm gear 234. In embodiments, a worm gear 234may be mechanically coupled to a speed reducing gear 235. Inembodiments, rotation of a worm gear 234 may cause rotation of a speedreducing gear 235 via engagement of channels of a worm gear 234 withteeth of a speed reducing gear 235. In embodiments, a sped reducing gear235 may be mechanically coupled to a connection plate 236 to an uppercore assembly 240 via a fastener or connector. In embodiments, rotationof a speed reducing gear 235 may cause a connection plate 236 (and/or anupper core assembly 240) to rotate with respect to a lower core assembly242 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as is illustrated byreference number 217. In embodiments, an upper core assembly 240 mayrotate with respect to the lower core assembly 242 approximately 90degrees via movement of the connection plate. In embodiments, an uppercore assembly 240 may rotate approximately 0 to 30 degrees with respectto the lower core assembly 242 via movement of the connection plate.

In embodiments, an upper core assembly 240 may comprise an extensionexpansion motor 233 and an extension expansion motor shaft 247. Inembodiments, an expansion motor 233 may be activated and may rotate anextension expansion motor shaft 247. In embodiments, an expansion motorshaft 247 may be mechanically coupled to a threaded rod 246 which may bemechanically couple to a travel nut 248 (e.g., a nut may be screwed ontothe threaded rod 246). In embodiments, an expansion motor shaft 247 mayrotate a threaded rod 246 which may cause a travel nut 248 to move in avertical direction (e.g., up or down). In embodiments, a travel nut 248may be mechanically coupled to a connection rod 249. In embodiments, atravel nut 248 may move in vertical direction (e.g., up or down) whichmay cause a connection rod 249 to move in a vertical direction (e.g., upor down) as is illustrated by reference number 251. In embodiments, aconnection rod 249 may be partially positioned and/or located within anupper core assembly 240 and may be partially positioned within a secondextension assembly 250. In embodiments, a connection rod 249 and/or asecond extension assembly 250 may have varying lengths based on adesired height of a modular umbrella system 200. In embodiments, aconnection rod 249 may be mechanically coupled to an expansion assemblyshaft 263.

In embodiments, an arm expansion sensor housing or module 260 maycomprise an expansion assembly shaft 263, a rack gear 265, one or morespoke/arm expansion assemblies 262, and a sensor module 268. Inembodiments, an expansion assembly shaft or hollow tube 263 may bemechanically coupled to a rack gear 265. In embodiments, movement of anexpansion shaft or hollow tube 263 up or down in a vertical directionmay move a rack gear 265 in a vertical direction (e.g., up or down). Inembodiments, one or more spoke expansion assemblies 262 may bemechanically coupled to a rack gear 265. In embodiments, gears on one ormore spoke/arm expansion assemblies 262 may engage channels in a rackgear 265. In embodiments, a rack gear 265 may move in a verticaldirection (e.g., up or down) which may cause movement of one or morespoke/arm expansion assemblies 262 from an open position (as isillustrated in FIG. 2) to a closed position (or vice versa from a closedposition to an open position). In embodiments, movement of one or morespoke/arm expansion assemblies 262 is illustrated by reference number275 in FIG. 2. In embodiments, spokes/arms 264 may be mechanicallycoupled to spoke expansion assemblies 262. In embodiments, one or morespokes/arms 264 may be detachable from one or more spoke/arm expansionassemblies 262.

Prior art shading systems utilizing at the most one motor to move ashade into a desired position. Shading systems do not utilize more thanone motor and this limits movement of a shade system to track the sunand provide protection to users of a shading system. Accordingly,utilizing of two or more motors in a shading system allow movement of ashading element (or multiple shading elements) to track the sun, toprotect a user from other weather elements and/or to capture a largeamount of solar energy. These are improvements other shading systemswhich cannot move and/or rotate about more than one axis. Although,FIGS. 1 and 2 describe a shading system with three motors, additionalmotors may be utilized to, for example, rotate a shading system(utilizing a motor in a base system next to a surface), additionalmotors to deploy additional accessories within a shading system coreassembly module (e.g., lighting assemblies, wind turbines, cameramounts), or additional motors to deploy accessories within an expansionand sensor assembly module (e.g., deploy sensors, deploy solar panels,move speakers to different positions or orientations and/or movelighting assemblies to different positions and/or orientations).

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of a modular umbrella system utilizingdirectional measuring devices according to embodiments. FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella system comprisingdirectional measuring devices according to embodiments. In embodiments,a core housing 130 may also comprise a gyroscope 425 and anaccelerometer 430. In embodiments, an upper core housing 140 maycomprise a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer. In embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 4, a motion control module 420 (e.g., a motioncontrol PCB) in a modular core housing 130 may comprise one or moreprocessors/controllers 422, one or more memory modules 423, one or moreaccelerometers 425 and/or one or more gyroscopes 430. In embodiments,directional measuring devices may refer to accelerometers, gyroscopes,compasses, magnetometers and/or GPS devices. In embodiments, a sensormodule 410 may comprise a compass, a digital compass and/or amagnetometer 406, one or more GPS transceivers 405, one or more clocks407, one or more microcontroller/processor 408, and/or one or morememory module 409.

In embodiments, a motion control module 420 may request an initialdesired orientation for different assemblies and/or components of amodular umbrella shading system and communicate 305 such directionalrequest to a sensor module 410. In embodiments, one or more gyroscopes430 may be utilized to determine, calculate and/or detect 310 an angleof an upper core assembly with respect to a lower core assembly (e.g.,determine a current elevation of a modular umbrella system). Inembodiments, one or more accelerometers may also be utilized along withone or more gyroscopes to determine, calculate and/or detect 320 anangle of an upper core assembly.

In embodiments, a motion control module 420 may communicate thedirectional request to a sensor extension module 410. In embodiments, adirectional measuring device (e.g., compass and/or magnetometer 406) maydetermine 330 movement and/or a relative position of a modular umbrellashading system with respect from a reference direction. In embodiments,for example, a directional measuring device (e.g., compass, digitalcompass and/or magnetometer 406) may determine relative movement and/ora relative position with respect to true north. In embodiments, forexample, a compass and/or a digital compass may determine movementand/or a relative position with respect to true north. In embodiments,such as illustrated in FIG. 4, these measurements may be referred to asheading measurements. In embodiments, a directional measuring device maycommunicate and/or transfer heading measurements to a microcontroller408, where these heading measurements may be stored in a memory 409.

In embodiments, in response to a directional orientation request, a GPStransceiver 405 may measure a geographic location of a modular umbrellasystem and may communicate 335 such geographic location measurement to amicrocontroller 408, which may transfer these heading measurements intoa memory 409. In embodiments, a GPS transceiver 405 may determinelatitude and/or longitude coordinates and communicate such latitudeand/or longitude coordinates to a microcontroller 408. In embodiments, aclock 407 may capture a time of day and communicate and/or transfer 340such time measurement to a microcontroller 408, which may store the timemeasurement in a memory 409.

In embodiments, instructions stored in a memory of an extension assemblyand/or sensor module 410 and executable by a microcontroller 408 in theextension assembly and/or sensor module 410 may include algorithmsand/or processes for determining and/or calculating a desired azimuthand/or orientation of a modular umbrella system depending on a time ofday. In alternative embodiments, a microcontroller 408 in an extensionassembly and/or sensor module 410 may communicate heading measurements,geographic location measurements and or time measurement to a processor422 in a motion control module 420. In an alternative embodiment, aportable computing device executing computer-readable instructions on aprocessor (e.g., a SMARTSHADE software app) and located in a vicinity ofa modular umbrella shading system may retrieve coordinates utilizing amobile computing device's GPS transceiver and may retrieve a time from amobile computing device's processor clock and provide these geographiclocation measurements and/or time to a motion control module 420 (e.g.,a microcontroller in a motion control module) and/or a sensor module 410(e.g., a microcontroller in a sensor module).

In embodiments, computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g.,memory 409) of a sensor module 410 may be executed by a microcontroller408 and may calculate 350 a desired modular umbrella system elevationangle and/or azimuth angle utilizing received geographic locationmeasurements, heading measurements, and/or time measurements. Inembodiments, a microcontroller may transfer desired elevation anglemeasurements and/or azimuth angle measurements to a motion controlmodule 420. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions stored in amemory of a motion control module 420 may compare 360 desired elevationangle measurements and azimuth angle measurements to a current elevationangle and azimuth angle of the modular umbrella system (calculated fromgyroscope measurements, accelerometer measurements, and/or both) todetermine movements that a modular umbrella system may make in order tomove to a desired orientation. In embodiments, executedcomputer-readable instructions may calculate an azimuth adjustmentmeasurement to provide to an azimuth motor and/or an elevationadjustment measurement to provide to an elevation motor.

In embodiments, in response to the comparison, computer-readableinstructions executed by a processor 310 may communicate 370 a command,signal, message, and/or instructions to an azimuth motor assembly 131 tocause a modular umbrella shading system 100 to rotate to a desiredazimuth orientation by moving a distance corresponding to and/orassociated with an azimuth adjustment measurement. In embodiments, inresponse to the comparison, computer-readable instructions executed by aprocessor 310 may communicate 380 an elevation adjustment measurement toan elevation motor assembly to cause an upper core assembly to rotatewith to a desired angle with respect to a lower core assembly (e.g., adesired elevation angle) by moving a distance corresponding and/orassociated with elevation adjustment measurement.

In embodiments, in response to reaching a desired elevation angle and/orazimuth angle, computer-readable instructions executed by a processormay start 385 a timer (and/or clock) and after a predetermined time (ortime threshold) may re-initiate 390 the modular umbrella orientationpositioning process described above. In embodiments, a modular umbrellaorientation positioning process may be reinitiated and/or checked every5 to 7 minutes. In embodiments, a modular umbrella orientationpositioning process may be initiated when a modular umbrella system isturned on and/or reset. In embodiments, adjustments may not be madeevery time a modular umbrella orientation positioning process isinitiated because a modular umbrella shading system may not have movedsignificantly in a measurement timeframe.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may also comprise a drone(or unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”)) system. In embodiments, a UAVsystem may comprise a UAV (e.g., drone) device 500 and/or a UAV dockingport 501 In embodiments, a UAV system may depart from a UAV docking port501 and fly around an area encompassing and/or surrounding a modularshading system. In embodiments, a UAV device 500 may have a range of 200meters from a modular shading system. In embodiments, a mobile computingdevice may communicate with a drone utilizing personal area networkprotocols including but not limited to WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. Inembodiments, computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of acomputing device and executable by a processor of a computing device(e.g., SMARTSHADE and/or SHADECRAFT software) may control operations ofa UAV device/drone 500. In embodiments, operations may include guidingmovement of a drone, communicating measurements and/or data from adrone, activating/deactivating sensors on a drone, and/oractivating/deactivating one or more cameras 575 on a drone. For example,in embodiments, a UAV device 500 may comprise one or more camera devices575. In embodiments, a camera device 575 may capture images, videoand/or sound of the environment surrounding a drone/UAV and may transmitand/or communicate images back to a computing device and/or othercomponent of a modular umbrella shading system. In embodiments, forexample, an air quality sensor may be installed on a UAV device, maketake measurements during flight of the UAV device and may transmitand/or communicate captured measurements and/or readings from an airquality sensor to a sensor printed circuit board, and/or anothercomponent and/or assembly on a modular umbrella shading system. Placingsensors on a UAV device 500 may allow for more accurate andcomprehensive sensor readings (e.g., measurements may be taken at anumber of locations rather than only an exact locations at where amodular umbrella system is installed. In addition, more accurate andcomprehensive sensor readings may be obtained at locations unreachablefrom a ground location (e.g., at higher elevations and/or at locationsobscured and/or walled off from a place where an umbrella shading systemis installed).

FIG. 5 illustrates a UAV device and a modular umbrella system accordingto embodiments. In embodiments, a UAV docking port 501 may connect to aUAV device through a latching assembly, a mechanical coupling assembly,and/or through magnetic coupling. In embodiments, a UAV docking port 501may provide power to a UAV device power source 530 (e.g., a rechargeablebattery) through an electrical connection (e.g., wire or connector)and/or through induction coupling (e.g., wireless charging). Inembodiments, a UAV docking port 501 may be integrated into a sensorhousing 168 or may be integrated into a spoke/arm connection housing162. In embodiments, a UAV docking port 501 may be placed on a surfaceof a sensor housing 168 and/or a spoke/arm connection housing 162

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system may comprise a drone. Inembodiments, a drone may be referred to as an unmanned aerial vehicle.FIG. 5 illustrates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) according toembodiments. In embodiments, a UAV 500 comprises a frame, amicrocontroller board 510, one or more rotors or motors 515, one or morepropellers/blades 520, one or more wireless transceivers 525, and apower source 530. In embodiments, a UAV 500 may further comprise one ormore gyroscopes 535 and/or one or more accelerometers 540. Inembodiments, a UAV may comprise an altimeter 560. In embodiments, a UAVmay comprise an electronic speed controller (ESC) 570. In embodiments, aUAV may comprise a GPS and/or GLONASS transceiver 565. In embodiments, aUAV may comprise one or more cameras 575.

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may be controlled by instructions transmittedby a computing device (e.g., a computing device in a mobile computingdevice and/or a computing device in a modular umbrella shading system).In embodiments, a computing device may be a mobile computing devicehaving computer-readable instructions executed by a processor tointerface and/or control a modular shading system and/or a UAV. Inembodiments, a computing device may be a modular umbrella systemcomputing device 136 having computer-readable instructions storedthereon and executable by a processor. In embodiments, a modularumbrella shading system may comprise a user interface (e.g., on adisplay) that may control and/or interface to a UAV 500. In embodiments,a computing device may comprise a transceiver that communicates with oneor more transceivers 525 in a UAV 500. In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device may communicate with a cloud-based server, which maycommunicate with one or more transceivers in a UAV 500.

In embodiments, a power source 530 may be a rechargeable battery. Inembodiments, a rechargeable battery may allow for up to 12 hours ofoperation. In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise one or more solarpanels or cells 521. In embodiments, one or more solar panels or cells521 may convert sunlight into electricity which may be transferred to arechargeable battery 530 in order to charge a rechargeable battery. Inembodiments, a UAV may be powered via UAV docking port 501 on a modularshading umbrella system 100.

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise a microcontroller (e.g., a singleboard microcontroller) 510. In embodiments, a microcontroller 510 mayinclude a processor, a memory, computer-readable instructions stored inthe memory 511 and executable by the processor/microcontroller 510. Inembodiments, a microcontroller 510 may control operations of one or moremotors 515 of the UAV (and thus blades and/or propellers 520), maycommunicate and/or interface with inertial components such as gyroscopes535 and/or accelerometers 540, may communicate and/or interface withlanding sensors 568 and/or other sensors, may communicate and/orinterface with cameras 575, and/or may communicate and/or interface witha power source 530 (e.g., rechargeable battery) and/or one or more solarcells or arrays 521. In embodiments, a single board microcontroller maybe an Arduino board, a DJI A2 or other similar controllers. Inembodiments, a UAV may also comprise an electronic speed controller(ESC) 570. In embodiments, an electronic speed controller 570 may beintegrated into or on a same board as a microcontroller. In embodiments,a ESC 570 may determine and control speed, velocity and/or accelerationof a UAV by communicating messages, instructions, signals and/orcommands to one or more motors 515 to tell motors how fast to operateand spin propeller blades 520. In embodiments, an ESC 570 may providedifferent speeds to different motors in order to move in specificdirections.

In embodiments, an inertial measurement unit may comprise one or moregyroscopes 535 and/or one or more accelerometers 540. In embodiments,UAVs may be exposed to many external forces (wind, rain, physicalobjects, etc.) coming from different directions. In embodiments,external forces may impact a drone's yaw, pitch and/or roll, and thusimpact a UAV's flight movement. In embodiments, one or more gyroscopes535 detect such changes in position (e.g., changes in yaw, pitch androll) and communicate this information to a microcontroller 510, whichcan then interface with an electronic speed control (ESC) 570, motors515 and/or propellers/blades 520. In embodiments, gyroscopes feedbackinformation on position hundreds of time each second. In embodiments,one or more accelerometers 540 may also measure changes in an UAV'sorientation relative to an object's surface (e.g., Earth's surface). Inembodiments, one or more accelerometers 540 communicate measurementchanges in a UAV's orientation to a microcontroller 510, which in turnmay communicate messages, commands and/or instructions to ESCs 570,which in turn may communicate messages, commands and/or instructions tomotors 515 and/or propeller/blades 520.

In embodiments, a UAV may comprise an altimeter 560. In embodiments, analtimeter 560 may measure an altitude of a UAV and may communicatealtitude measurements to a microcontroller 510. In embodiments, amicrocontroller or controller or processor 510 may verify, compareand/or check altitude measurements against desired altitudemeasurements. In response to the verification and/or comparison, amicrocontroller 510 may which in turn may communicate messages, commandsand/or instructions to ESCs 570, which in turn may communicate messages,commands and/or instructions to motors 515 and/or propeller/blades 520.

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise a GPS or GLONASS transceiver 565.In embodiments, a GPS transceiver 565 may capture and/or calculateposition readings for a UAV 500 and communicate these measurement and/orcalculated positions to a microcontroller 510. In embodiments, amicrocontroller 510 may utilize GPS measurements and/or readings todetermine a geographic location of a UAV. In embodiments, amicrocontroller 510 may utilize GPS measurements to identify take offpositions and/or landing positions. In embodiments, a GPS transceiver565 may be located on a microcontroller 510. In embodiments, a GPStransceiver 565 may be located in an inertial measurement unit.

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise landing sensors 568. Inembodiments, landing sensors 568 may be light-based sensors and/orultrasonic sensors. In embodiments, landing sensors 568 may be locatedon a bottom surface of a UAV 500. In embodiments, landing sensors 568may communicate measurements and/or readings regarding a landing surface(e.g., is a landing surface present, how far is it away (based on soundand/or light reflection)) to a microcontroller 510. In embodiments, amicrocontroller 510 may communicate messages, commands and/orinstructions to ESCs 570, which in turn may communicate messages,commands and/or instructions to motors 515 and/or propeller/blades 520to move a UAV to a landing position (e.g., a modular umbrella systemlanding spot and/or landing dock).

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise a landing system may comprise oneor more wireless transceivers 525. In embodiments, a wirelesstransceiver 525 may communicate commands, instructions, signals and/ormessages between wireless transceivers in a modular umbrella system 100.In embodiments, a wireless transceiver 525 may communicate commands,instructions, signals and/or messages between wireless transceivers in amobile computing device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a controller, alaptop computer etc. In embodiments, computer readable instructions,stored on a memory of a mobile computing device (and or modular umbrellasystem) may be executed on a processor (e.g., in a SMARTSHADEapplication) and one option in a software application may be UAVoperation and/or control. In embodiments, for example, SMARTSHADEsoftware application may comprise, among other things, a UAV or droneicon, which if selected, further presents various modes of UAV operationand control. In embodiments, a SMARTSHADE software application mayprovide instructions as to flight of a UAV, take off and/or landing of aUAV, movements in direction of a UAV, activation/deactivation of a UAVcamera, and activation/deactivation of other sensors and/or componentsof a UAV. In embodiments, a SMARTSHADE application may communicatemessages, instructions, commands and/or signals utilizing a wirelesstransceiver in a mobile computing device and a wireless transceiver in aUAV.

In embodiments, a UAV 500 may comprise one or more cameras 575. Inembodiments, one or more cameras may be placed on a bottom surface of aUAV 500 to capture images, sounds and/or videos of an area adjacent toand/or surrounding a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, amicrocontroller 510 may activate and/or deactivate one or more cameras575. In embodiments, one or more cameras 575 may capture images, soundsand/or videos and may communicate captured images, sounds and/or videosto a microcontroller 510, which may store captured images, sounds and/orvideos in a memory of a UAV and/or a microcontroller 510. Inembodiments, a microcontroller 510 may communicate and/or transfercaptured images to a computing device 136 in a modular umbrella system100, which in turn may store captured images in a memory of a modularumbrella system 100 and/or transfer captured images, video and/or soundto other computing devices (e.g., devices in a cloud) and/or mobilecomputing devices linked to a modular umbrella system (e.g., mobilecomputing devices utilizing and executing SMARTSHADE software). Inembodiments, a UAV 500 may communicate captured images, video and/orsound via a wireless transceiver 525 to a mobile computing device (whichutilizes its own wireless transceiver for communication) without firstcommunicating captured images, videos and/or sound to a modular umbrellasystem 100. In other words, a UAV 500 may transfer and/or communicateimages captured by its camera 575 directly to a mobile computing deviceor indirectly to a web server which in turn communicates the images,videos and/or sound to the mobile computing device (without passingthrough a modular umbrella system).

FIG. 6 illustrates a modular umbrella system including an identificationsystem according to embodiments. In embodiments, a modular umbrellasystem 100 may comprise an identification system or module 602. Inembodiments, an identification system or module 602 may comprise aretinal scanner 605. In embodiments, an identification system or module602 may further comprise (or alternatively comprise) a fingerprintscanner 610. In embodiments, an identification system 602 may furtherutilize (or alternately utilize) a NFC sensor 615 (or 139 in FIG. 1). Inembodiments, an identification system 602 may further utilize (oralternatively utilize) a microphone 622 and/or voice recognition module625 to identify an authorized user. In embodiments, an identificationsystem 602 may further utilize (or alternatively utilize) one or morecameras 637 to identify an authorized user utilizing a facialrecognition module 639. In embodiments, an identification system 602 maybe implemented 1) within a standalone umbrella system (e.g., not beingcontrolled by a mobile computing device); 2) in conjunction and/orcombination with a mobile computing device software application (e.g.,SMARTSHADE), and/or 3) in conjunction and/or combination with acloud-based server.

In embodiments where an identification system 602 is implemented withina standalone assembly (e.g., a modular umbrella system), anidentification assembly may communicate with a separate computing device636 (e.g., a Raspberry Pi computing device) within the modular umbrellasystem 100. For example, in embodiments, a retinal scanner 605, afingerprint scanner 610, a camera 637 and/or a NFC sensor 615 may belocated on a skin assembly of a modular umbrella system 100. Inembodiments, a retinal scanner 605, a fingerprint scanner 610, a camera637 and/or a NFC sensor 615 may be located on or integrated within orinto a core assembly module 130 of a modular umbrella system 100.

In embodiments, a user may activate a retinal scanner 605 and may placean eye in front of a retinal scanner 605. In embodiments, a fingerprintscanner 610 may be activated by a user placing a finger and/or thumbonto a fingerprint scanner 610. In embodiments, a user 130 may activateone or more cameras 637, stand within a view of a camera and have one ormore cameras 637 capture an image of a user (e.g., an image of a user'sface). In embodiments, a captured image (e.g., a retinal scan, afingerprint scan/image and/or a facial image) may be communicated from aretinal scanner 605, a fingerprint scanner 610 and/or a camera 637 to anintegrated computing device 636. In embodiments, a captured image may becommunicated via a wired connection and/or may be communicatedwirelessly using a PAN transceiver to an integrated computing device636.

In embodiments, an integrated computing device 136 or 636 may comprise aprocessor or controller 647, one or more volatile memories and/ornon-volatile memories 640, a wireless transceiver, computer-readableinstructions stored in the non-volatile memory (e.g., facial recognitionmodule 639 and/or voice recognition module 625), and/or one or moreinput output ports. In embodiments, for example, where a fingerprintimage is communicated from a fingerprint scanner 610, computer-readableinstructions executed by a processor or controller may store acommunicated fingerprint image in a memory 640 (e.g., volatile memory ornon-volatile memory) and/or may compare a communicated fingerprint imageto one or more authenticated fingerprint images stored in one or morememories 640. In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 maycommunicate an authentication message to a display panel and/or afingerprint scanner 610 in response to a communicated fingerprint imagematching one of the stored authenticated fingerprint images (which mayallow a user to interface with and/or operate a modular umbrella system100). In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 may communicate adenial message to a display panel and/or fingerprint scanner 610 inresponse to a communicated fingerprint image not matching authenticatedfingerprint images in one or more memories. Similarly in embodiments, aretinal scanner 605 may communicate a captured retinal image to imagesstored in one or more memory devices 640 and computer-readableinstructions, stored in one or more memory devices 640 and executable bya processor or controller 647, may compare a captured retinal image toauthenticated retinal images stored in one or more memory devices 640.Similarly, in embodiments, a processor or controller 647 may communicatean authentication message (in response to a match) or a denial message(in response to no match) to a control panel and/or a retinal scanner605 to allow and/or deny authorization to interact with and/or utilize amodular umbrella system 100.

In embodiments, for example, where a NFC sensor is utilized forauthentication, a device comprising a NFC sensor comes into a proximitywith a NFC sensor 615 in a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments,for example, a device with the NFC sensor 615 communicatesauthentication information to a processor 647 in an integrated computingdevice 636. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions executed by aprocessor 647 compare the communicated authentication information tostored authentication information to verify if a device (and user) withthe NFC sensor can utilize a modular umbrella system 100. Inembodiments, a computer-readable instructions executable by processor orcontroller 647 may communicate an authentication message (ifauthentication information is verified) or a denial message (ifauthentication information is not verified) to the device comprising theNFC sensor. In response to being authenticated, a device may interfacewith and operate a modular umbrella system 100 (and if denied, thedevice may not interface with and/or operate the modular umbrella system100).

In embodiments, for example, where voice recognition may be utilized forauthentication, a modular umbrella system 100 may further comprise amicrophone 622 and/or a voice recognition engine or module 625. Inembodiments, a voice recognition engine 625 may be separate from anintegrated computing device 636 (e.g., on a separate circuit boardand/or chip and/or utilizing computer-readable instructions store in amemory separate and apart from an integrated computing device 636. Inembodiments, a voice recognition engine or module 625 may be integratedand/or part of the computing device 636 or 136. In embodiments utilizingvoice recognition, a user may speak (e.g., or speak a password and/orcode) which may be input and received via a microphone 622. Inembodiments, a microphone 622 may transfer the spoken words to a voicerecognition engine 625, which may convert a spoken phrase to a digitalaudio file. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions executed by aprocessor 647 may store spoken digital audio file and/or may compare thespoken digital audio file to authenticated audio files stored in one ormore memory devices. In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 maycommunicate an authentication message to a display panel and/or voicerecognition engine 625 (and then to a sound reproduction device (e.g.,speaker) in response to a spoken audio file matching one of the storedauthenticated audio files (which may allow a user to interface withand/or operate a modular umbrella system 100 using a voice recognitionengine). In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 may communicate adenial message to a display panel and/or voice recognition engine 625(and then to a sound reproduction device) in response to a spoken audiofile not matching authenticated audio files in one or more memorydevices 640.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may further utilize (oralternatively utilize) a facial recognition module 639 and/or camera 637to authenticate users. In embodiments, one or more cameras 637 maycapture an image of a potential user (e.g., a face or other identifiablearea) and may communicate a captured image to an integrated computingdevice 637. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions, stored inone or more memories 640, and executed by a processor or controller 647of an integrated computing device 636 may store a captured user imageand/or may compare a captured user image to authenticated user images.In embodiments, a comparison may be performed utilizing a facialrecognition engine 639 located or integrated within the computingdevice. In embodiments, a facial recognition engine 639 separate from anintegrated computing device 136 (e.g., on a separate circuit boardand/or chip and/or computer-readable instructions stored in a differentmemory device) may perform a comparison. In embodiments, a processor orcontroller 647 may communicate an authentication message to a displaypanel and/or camera 637 in response to a captured image matching one ofthe stored authenticated images (which may allow a user to interfacewith and/or operate a modular umbrella system 100). In embodiments, aprocessor or controller 647 may communicate a denial message to adisplay panel and/or camera 637 (and then to a in response to a capturedimage not matching authenticated images stored in the non-volatilememory.

In embodiments, a user may be operating a mobile computing device 650(e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, etc.). In embodiments, amodular umbrella system 100 in combination and/or conjunction with amobile computing device 650 may perform authentication of a user and/ora device. In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650 may comprise aretinal scanner 651 (or retinal scanning processing software to analyzea picture captured by a smartphone camera). In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device 650 may comprise a fingerprint scanner 652 (orfingerprint scanning software to analyze a picture captured by asmartphone camera 653). In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650may comprise a microphone 654 and/or voice recognition software tocapture and convert a user's spoken command. In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device 650 may comprise a camera 653 to capture an image of auser's face (and/or facial recognition software to analyze the capturedimage). In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650 may comprise acontroller and/or processor 657. In embodiments, a processor and/orcontroller 657 may comprise one or more memories which may storecomputer-readable instructions (e.g., facial recognition software, voicerecognition software, fingerprint scanning software and/or retinalscanning software). In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650 maycomprise a memory 658 outside of a controller or processor 657, wherethe memory stores computer-readable instructions (e.g., facialrecognition software, voice recognition software, fingerprint scanningsoftware and/or retinal scanning software) executable by a processorand/or controller 657. In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650 maycomprise a NFC sensor 656 which can be paired with a NFC sensor 615 in amodular umbrella system 100 to perform an authentication process, asdescribed previously In embodiments, a mobile computing device 650 maycommunicate a captured image to a modular umbrella system 100 (if aretinal scanner 651, retinal analyzing software, fingerprint scanner652, fingerprint analyzing software, camera 653, and/or facialrecognition software is resident on a mobile computing device 650). Inembodiments, a mobile computing device 650 may communicate a capturedimage to an integrated computing device 636 in a modular umbrella system100. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions executed by aprocessor or controller 647 on an integrated computing device 636 maystore a received captured image communicated from a mobile computingdevice 650 in one or more memories 640 of an integrated computing device636 and/or compare a communicated captured image from the mobilecomputing device 650 to existing authenticated images stored in one ormemories 640 of the integrated computing device 636. In embodiments, aprocessor or controller 647 may communicate an authentication message toa mobile computing device 650 in response to a captured image matchingone of the stored authenticated images (which may allow a mobilecomputing device 650 to operate and/or control a modular umbrella system100). In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 may communicate adenial and/or refusal message to a mobile computing device 650 inresponse to a captured image not matching authenticated images stored inone or more memories 650, which would prevent a user and/or the mobilecomputing device 650 from interacting with a modular umbrella system100.

In embodiments where a mobile computing device utilizes a NFC sensor 655for authentication, authentication may operate in a fashion as describedabove. In embodiments where a mobile computing device 650 utilizes amicrophone 654 and/or voice recognition software for authentication, amicrophone 654 on a mobile computing device 650 captures a spokencommand. In embodiments, computer-readable voice recognitioninstructions (e.g., in a voice recognition engine or module) executingon a mobile computing device processor 657 convert a received command toan audio file (e.g., a digital audio file). In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device 650 may communicate a captured audio file to anintegrated computing device 636 or 136 (or a voice recognition engine inthe modular umbrella system). In embodiments, a processor or controller647 may store a received captured audio file communicated from a mobilecomputing device 650 in one or more memories 640 of an integratedcomputing device 636 and/or may compare a communicated captured audiofile from the mobile computing device 650 to existing authenticatedaudio files stored in one or more memories of the integrated computingdevice 636. In embodiments, a processor or controller 647 maycommunicate an authentication message to a mobile computing device 650(and then to a sound reproduction device (e.g., speaker) in the mobilecomputing device 650 in response to a spoken audio file matching one ofthe stored authenticated audio files (which may allow a mobile computingdevice 650 to interface with and/or operate a modular umbrella system100 using voice commands). In embodiments, a processor or controller 647may communicate a denial or rejection message to a mobile computingdevice 650 (and then to a sound reproduction device in the mobilecomputing device 650) in response to a spoken audio file not matchingauthenticated audio files in one or more memories. In this case, a userof the mobile computing device 650 may not be authenticated and notutilize and/or operate a modular umbrella system 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates use of a web server and/or cloud-based server forauthentication of a user and/or a mobile computing device utilizing amodular umbrella system. In embodiments, where a web server or acloud-based server 670 are utilized for authenticating users and/ormobile computing devices 650 to interact with a modular umbrella system100, authentication devices and/or modules (e.g., retinal scanners,fingerprint scanners, voice recognition software, facial recognitionsoftware and/or NFC sensors) may be located within either a modularumbrella system (e.g., an integrated computing device in a modularumbrella system or other places) or authentication devices and/ormodules (e.g., retinal scanners 651, fingerprint scanners 652,microphones 654, voice recognition software, cameras 653, facialrecognition software and/or NFC sensors 656) may be located within amobile computing device 650. In embodiments, authentication may beperformed utilizing web-based servers and/or cloud-based servers 670 toprovide more security during the authentication process (e.g., a thirdparty authentication process may be utilized and/or a more secure servermay be utilized as compared to an integrated computing device in amodular umbrella system 100). In addition, utilizing a web-based and/orcloud-based authentication system 670 and/or process may allow one ormore modular umbrella systems 100 to utilize a same authenticationprocess and not require authentication information to be communicated toeach modular umbrella system 100. Further, in embodiments, some modularumbrella systems 100 may not have integrated computing devices and/orenough storage on an integrated computing device 100 to be able tohandle authentication requests. In addition, some modular umbrellasystem 100 may not have authentication software (e.g., facialrecognition software, voice recognition engine, fingerprint and/orretinal image analyzing software) installed on an integrated computingdevice and these processes and/or procedures may be performed on a webserver and/or a cloud-based server 670. In embodiments, for examplecaptured information (e.g., images from cameras 653 for facialrecognition, retinal scanners 651, fingerprint scans from finger printscanners 652, audio files from microphones 654 for voice recognition,authentication information from devices with NFC sensors 656) may becommunicated from a mobile computing device 650 to a web server, anapplication server, and/or a cloud-based server 670.

In embodiments, computer-readable instructions may be stored on one ormore memories 671 of a web server, application server and/or cloud-basedserver 670 and executed by a processor 677. In embodiments,computer-readable instructions may be referred to as SMARTSHADEsoftware. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions may comprise afacial recognition engine or module 671, a voice recognition module orengine 672, retinal scanning software 673, and/or fingerprint scanningsoftware 675, may be executed by a processor 677 and may process and/oranalyzed mobile device captured information ((e.g., images from a camera653 for facial recognition, retinal scans from a retinal scanner 651,fingerprint scans from a fingerprint scanner 652, audio files from voicerecognition from microphones 654, authentication information fromdevices with NFC sensors 656) may be communicated directly from a mobilecomputing device 650 (e.g., utilizing a processor or controller 657 to aweb server, an application server, and/or a cloud-based server 670(utilizing a processor and/or controller 677)). In embodiments,computer-readable instructions executable by a controller or processor677 of a web server, application server and/or cloud-based server 670may compare captured information against existing authenticationinformation to verify that a user and/or mobile computing device 650sending and/or communicating the captured information is an authorizeduser of a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, existingauthentication information may comprise authenticated facial images,authenticated audio file, authenticated retinal scans and/orauthenticated fingerprints and/or other biometric information stored inone or more memories 671 or 678. In embodiments, computer-readableinstructions may be executed by a processor 677 on a web server,application server and/or cloud-based server 670 may communicate anauthentication message and/or instructions to a modular umbrella system100 to verify that a user is able to operate and/or control a modularumbrella system 100. In embodiments, an authentication message may bedisplayed on a control and audibly reproduced on a sound reproductiondevice such as a speaker (and likewise may transmit a denial and/or noauthentication message if match is not found). In embodiments,computer-readable instructions may be executed by a processor 677 on aweb server, application server and/or cloud-based server 670 maycommunicate an authentication message and/or instructions to a mobilecomputing device 650 to verify that a user is able to operate and/orcontrol a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, an authenticationmessage may be displayed on a screen of a mobile computing device 650and/or audibly reproduced on a sound reproduction device such as aspeaker of a mobile computing device 650 (and likewise may transmit adenial and/or no authentication message if match is not found).

FIG. 8 illustrates a mobile point-of-sale system utilizing a mobilecomputing device, one or more modular umbrella systems and a serveraccording to embodiments. In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810may comprise a wireless transceiver and/or a cellular transceiver 815,one or more processors 820 and one or more memories 825. In embodiments,a mobile computing device may comprise computer-readable instructions830 stored in one or more memories 825, which when executed by aprocessor 820, may control operation and/or communicate with a modularumbrella system 100. In embodiments, the computer-readable instructions830 may be called a software application, an app, a mobile app and/ormay be referred to as SMARTSHADE software. In embodiments,computer-readable instructions 830 may also perform point-of-saletransactions with a modular umbrella system 800. In embodiments, a webserver and/or cloud-based server 850 may comprise one or more processors851, one or more memories 853, and an umbrella point of sale (POS)software application 855 (e.g., computer-readable instructions). Inembodiments, a web server and/or cloud-based server 850 may comprise oneor more memories 853 housing a third-party POS software applicationprogramming interface 860. In embodiments, a user may utilize a mobilecomputing device 810 to perform and/or execute POS transactions and maypurchase umbrella-related products and/or accessories, productsrecommended by vendors of a modular umbrella system 800, productsrecommended in response to, for example, a SMARTSHADE softwareapplication has analyzed modular umbrella sensors and/or assemblies,(e.g., recommending sunscreen when sun intensity measurement from a UVsensor is high, recommending particle masks when an air qualitymeasurement from an air quality sensor is low). In embodiments, if acomponent fails, a component and/or an assembly may communicate and/ortransmit an error message to a controller or processor (e.g., acontroller and/or processor in a motion control PCB and/or an integratedcomputing device). In embodiments, a controller and/or processor mayreceive a measurement and/or communication from a component and/orassembly, analyze the measurement and/or communication and determine acomponent and/or assembly may be malfunctioning. In embodiments, ineither case (e.g., error message received and/or malfunctiondetermined), a controller and/or processor may notify a user that acomponent and/or assembly is malfunctioning and may need to be replaced.For example, any of a number of sensors (e.g., UV sensors, wind sensors,proximity sensors, humidity sensors, and/or temperature sensors) maytransmit an error message and/or an out-of-tolerance measurement and/orreading and a controller and/or processor in a motion control PCB and/orintegrated computing device may initiate ordering of components,assemblies, and/or consumables through a POS module in a SMARTSHADEsoftware application. In embodiments, a modular umbrella system may haveaccessories and consumables which may need to be reordered, e.g., suchas fuses and/or lights/bulbs. In embodiments, a SMARTSHADE softwareapplication may allow reordering and/or replacement parts through a POScomponent and/or module.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810 generating and/orinitiating POS transactions (e.g., using POS functionality in aSMARTSHADE application 830) may allow users to rent one or moreumbrellas at a hotel, venue, stadium, or other meeting place or makereservations for an umbrella system at a hotel, venue, and/or stadium.In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810, executing a SMARTSHADEsoftware application 830 and performing POS transactions, may pay for auser's hotel and/or restaurant bills by interfacing with a hotel and/orrestaurant POS system through a application programming interface.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810, a modular umbrella system800, a web server or application server and/or a cloud-based server 850may communicate and/or interface with each other to engage in POStransactions. In embodiments, an application program interface (API) 833may be resident within one or more memories 825 of a mobile computingdevice 810 and/or an application program interface 860 may be residentwithin one or more memories 853 of an application server, web serverand/or cloud-based server 850 and either one of POS application programinterfaces (833 or 860) may communicate and/or interact with a thirdparty POS system (Google Wallet, Apple Pay) 880 to engage in financialtransactions with the third party POS system 880. In embodiments,application program interfaces (833 or 860) may utilize controllersand/or processors (820 or 851) to communicate and/or interface withthird party POS systems 880.

In embodiments, a user may interact directly with a modular umbrellasystem 800 and engage in POS financial transactions. In embodiments,computer-readable instructions, stored on a memory 877 of an integratedcomputing device 136, may generate a menu with financial transactionoptions on a display of a modular umbrella system 800 (e.g., aSMARTSHADE application having POS functionality) or a third party POSsoftware application and/or app. In embodiments, a screen may be acontrol panel and/or a display attached to and/or connected to a modularumbrella system 800. In embodiments, one or more financial and/orcommerce transactions may be selected (e.g., purchase sunscreen, reserveumbrella system for an additional timeframe (e.g., an hour)), andfinancial transaction data and/or information may be communicated to aweb server and/or a cloud-based server 850.

In embodiments, a web server or a cloud-based server 850 may bepartitioned and/or a portion of the cloud-based server 850 may beestablished as a portion of a SMARTSHADE POS system (or modular umbrellasystems POS system). In embodiments, a web server or application server850 may be setup, established and/or housed under a control of an owner(e.g., an owner of a host facility). In embodiments, a cloud-basedserver 850 may be established at a third-party facility, but may bepartitioned for utilization as a modular umbrella system POS. Inembodiments, cloud-based servers 850 may be setup as private areas forclients and/or may be shared by multiple clients with appropriatesecurity in place to protect confidentiality and security of user'sfinancial data and/or information.

In embodiments, a web server, application server and/or cloud-basedserver 850 may receive financial transaction requests from a mobilecomputing device 810 and/or a modular umbrella system 800 and maycommunicate financial transaction requests to vendors and/or otherparties to further process and/or complete the financial transactionrequest. In embodiments, a web server, application server and/orcloud-based server 850 may generate a record (e.g., a database request)of the financial transaction request and store a financial recordtransaction in a memory 853 and/or database of a web server, applicationserver and/or cloud-based server 850. In embodiments, a web server,application server and/or cloud-based server 850 may communicate afinancial transaction completion status and/or financial transactionrecord to a modular umbrella system 800. In embodiments, a modularumbrella system 800 may receive a financial transaction record and/orfinancial transaction status in a memory 877 of an integrated computingdevice 136. In embodiments, a processor and/or controller 878 in anintegrated computing device 136 may generate a message to a display toinform a user and/or operator of a status and record of a requestedfinancial transaction.

In embodiments, computer-readable instructions loaded in a memory of amobile computing device may be executed by a processor of a mobilecomputing device to perform POS functions. In embodiments, as mentionedabove, computer-readable instructions may be part of a SMARTSHADEsoftware application that is installed in a memory 825 of a mobilecomputing device 810 that also controls and/or operates a modularumbrella system 800. In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810 withsoftware installed may be referred to as a mobile point of sale terminal(mPOS). In embodiments, a modular umbrella system icon (or softwareapplication) may be selected via a display of a mobile computing device.In embodiments, a POS portion and/or module may also be selected via adisplay of a mobile computing device. In embodiments, a POS portionand/or module may be selected via an icon and/or via voice recognition.In embodiments, financial transaction opportunities, options and/orselections may be presented and/or recommended via a menu and/or displayscreen and one or more financial transaction requests may be selectedfor execution and/or engagement. In embodiments, a financial transactionrequest may be received and communicated to a modular umbrella system800. In embodiments, for example, financial transaction requests may becommunicated to an integrated computing device 136 in a modular umbrella800 via a wireless transceiver. In embodiments, the computer-readableinstructions executable by a processor of an integrated computing device136 may receive a financial transaction requests from a mobile computingdevice 810 and may store financial transaction requests (and associatedtransaction information) in a memory 877 of an integrated computingdevice 136. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions executable bya processor of an integrated computing device 136 may communicatefinancial transaction request information to a web server, applicationserver, cloud-based server 850 (e.g., or to a third-party POS server 880via an application communication interface (API). In embodiments, a webserver, application server and/or cloud-based server 850 may receivefinancial transaction requests and contact vendors or other thirdparties to further process and/or complete one or more requestedfinancial transaction requests. In embodiments, a web server,application server and/or cloud-based server 850 may generate a recordof the financial transaction and store a financial record transaction ina memory and/or database of a web server, application server and/orcloud-based server 850. In embodiments, a web server, application serverand/or cloud-based server 850 may communicate a financial transactioncompletion status and/or financial transaction record to a modularumbrella system 800. In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 800 mayreceive a financial transaction record and/or status and store such in amemory 877 of an integrated computing device 136. In embodiments, amodular umbrella system 800 may communicate a financial status recordand/or status to a mobile computing device 810, where such informationmay be presented on a display.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810 may communicate one ormore financial transaction requests directly to a web server,application server, and/or cloud-based server 850 (or to a third partyPOS server 880 via an API) without having a modular umbrella system 800as an intermediary. This may be a preferred method of operation formobile computing devices 810 having a SMARTSHADE software applicationinstalled thereon (e.g., a software application to control and/oroperate a modular umbrella system 800 and/or engage in umbrella-relatedPOS transactions).

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 810 may incorporate devices toreceive financial information. In embodiments, a mobile computing device810 may comprise a NFC sensor 891, a chip reader 892, a bar code reader893, a docking station and/or sled accessory 894, and/or a card reader895 to more efficiently receive and/or capture financial transactioninformation to be submitted in financial transaction requests. Inembodiments, a user or operator may also manually enter a financialtransaction request into an input screen of a POS portion of SMARTSHADEsoftware. In embodiments, a chip reader 892 may read and/or captureauthentication information and/or financial information from a creditand/or debit card and may communicate and/or transfer this informationto a SMARTSHADE software application (and may utilize a processor and/orcontroller 820) to include as part of a financial transaction request.In embodiments, a bar code reader 893 may read and/or capture andprovide financial information from a bar code (QR code) on a product, adisplay, and or a document and may communicate and/or transfer thisinformation to a SMARTSHADE software application (utilizing a processorand/or controller 820) to include as part of a financial transactionrequest. In embodiments, a docking station and/or sled accessory 894 maybe utilized to capture financial information from a credit and/or debtcard and/or print receipts corresponding to financial transactions. Inembodiments, a card reader 895 may authentication information andfinancial information from a credit and/or debit card (off of a magneticstrip) and may communicate and/or transfer this information to theSMARTSHADE software application (e.g., utilizing a processor and/orcontroller) to include as part of the financial transaction request. Inembodiments, a user of a third party POS and/or payment mobile devicepayment system (e.g., Google Wallet and/or Apple Pay) may passinformation from the payment application to the SMARTSHADE paymentsystem via an API, or through communications after confirmation with aNFC sensor 891 and/or a processor and/or controller 820.

FIG. 9 illustrates a mobile computing device controlling operation ofone or more modular umbrella systems according to embodiments. FIG. 9illustrates a mobile computing device 905 communicating with one or moreof a plurality of modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 and/or 925. Inembodiments, modular umbrella systems may comprise wireless transceivers911, 916, 921 and/or 926 for communicating with other modular umbrellasystems 910, 915, 920 and/or 925 and/or a mobile computing device 905.In embodiments, one or more modular umbrella systems 815 820 maycomprise integrated computing devices 817 and 822. In embodiments,wireless transceivers 906, 911, 916, 921, and/or 926 may operateaccording any one or more of a plurality of personal area network, localarea network, or other wireless and/or wired communication protocols,such as Bluetooth, Near-Field Communication (NFC) protocols, Zigbee,WiFi, 802.11, and including cellular wireless protocols such as GSM,CDMA, LTE and/or EDGE. In embodiments, computer-readable instructionsmay be stored on memory of a mobile computing device and executed by aprocessor to communicate with and/or control operations of one or moremodular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925. In embodiments, modularumbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925 may have computer readableinstructions stored in a memory of an integrated computing device 912,917, 922 or 927 or other memory and executable by a processor of theintegrated computing device 912, 917, 922 or 927, which may controloperations of the modular umbrella system 910, 915, 920 or 925 where thecomputer-readable instructions are installed. In other words, part ofsoftware may be resident on a mobile computing device 905 and part ofthe software may be resident on one or more modular umbrella systems910, 915, 920 or 925. In embodiments, computer-readable instructionsexecuted by a processor of the mobile computing device 905 maycommunicate commands and/or instructions via a wireless transceiver 906to one or more modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925 via themodular umbrella system's wireless transceivers 911, 916, 921 or 926.For example, a mobile computing device 905 may communicate a commandand/or message to turn on LED lights of one or more modular umbrellasystems 910, 915, 920 or 925; to activate one or more motor assemblies(e.g., azimuth, elevation and/or deployment motors), and/or to obtainsensor readings from one or more modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920or 925. In embodiments, a mobile computing device 905 may communicateand/or stream audio, images, and/or videos (via a wireless transceiver906) to one or more modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925 viatheir wireless transceivers 911, 916, 921 or 926 and utilizing one ormore integrated computing devices 912, 917, 922 or 927. In embodiments,one or more integrated computing devices 912, 917, 922 or 927 mayreceive communicated audio, video and/or images and may communicateand/or stream the audio, video, images to audio/video transceiversand/or onto a sound reproduction devices such as speakers and/or tovideo displays and/or monitors on one or more modular umbrella systems910, 915, 920 or 925.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 905 may communicate commands,instructions and/or messages (or videos, images, and/or sounds) via awireless transceiver 906 to a first modular umbrella system's 910wireless transceiver 911. In embodiments, commands, instructions and/ormessages (or videos, images, and/or sounds) may be communicated to anintegrated computing device 912 and/or commands, instructions and/ormessages (or videos, images, and/or sounds) may be transmitted from thewireless transceiver 911 of a first modular umbrella system 910 to asecond modular umbrella system 915 via a wireless transceiver 912. Inembodiments, communication of commands, instructions and/or messages (orvideos, images, and/or sounds) may continue to one or more modularumbrella systems (e.g., 915, 920 and/or 925) via respective wirelesstransceivers 916, 921 or 926.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 905 may communicate (via awireless transceiver 906) instructions, messages, and/oraudio/video/images to a plurality of modular umbrella systems 910, 915,920 or 925 (via respective wireless transceivers 911, 916, 921 or 926)so that each of the plurality of modular umbrella systems may receivethe same instructions, messages, and/or audio/video/images atapproximately a same and/or close to same time. In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device 905 may communicate and/or transfer (via a wirelesstransceiver 906) different commands instructions, messages, and/oraudio/video/images to a plurality of modular umbrella systems 910, 915,920 or 925 via their respective wireless transceivers 911, 916, 921 or926. For example, a mobile computing device 905 may communicate onedigital music file to a first modular umbrella system 910, a secondmusic file to a second modular umbrella system 915 and a third musicfile to a third modular umbrella system 920. Similarly, a mobilecomputing device may transmit commands to move an azimuth motor of aplurality of modular umbrella systems 910 and 915 and/or lights of adifferent plurality of modular umbrella systems 920 or 926 In anotherexample, a mobile computing device 905 may generate and/or communicateone or more commands (e.g., the same commands to one or more of theplurality of modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925) and each ofthe plurality of modular umbrella systems may receive the command and/ormessage and act in a similar manner. In embodiments, the mobilecomputing device 905 may broadcast the command and/or message to each ofthe plurality of modular umbrella systems 910, 915, 920 or 925simultaneously and/or almost at the same time. In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device 905 may communicate the message and/or command to afirst modular umbrella system 910 in a plurality of modular umbrellasystems, which in turn may communicate the message to a second modularumbrella system 915, which in turn may communicate the message and/orcommand to a third modular umbrella system 920, and so on.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device 905, executing, on aprocessor, computer-readable instructions stored in its memory (e.g.,SMARTSHADE software), may generate one or more commands for one modularumbrella system 910; one or more commands for a second modular umbrellasystem 915; and/or one or more commands for a third modular umbrellasystem 920. In other words, a mobile computing device 905 maycommunicate different commands to each umbrellas. In embodiments,different commands and/or messages may be communicated to all of theplurality of umbrellas 910, 915, 920, or 925 (e.g., broadcast). In thisillustrative embodiment, an identifier may be utilized to identify whichmodular umbrella system may receive which command and/or message). Inembodiments, a mobile computing device 905 may communicate a commandand/or message only to a modular umbrella system that is to receive thecommand and/or message and perform actions based on the command and/ormessage. In embodiments, for example, a mobile computing device 905 maygenerate instructions, commands and/or messages to a) turn on lights ona first modular umbrella system 910, b) rotate an azimuth motor of asecond modular umbrella system 915 and/or c) extend arm supportassemblies to a third modular umbrella system 920. In embodiments,mobile computing devices 905 may communicate instructions, commandsand/or messages simultaneously and/or serially to a plurality of modularumbrella systems 910, 915, 920 and/or 925. In embodiments, wirelesstransceivers 906, 911, 916, 921 and/or 926 may operate according to aWiFi protocol and/or any of the 802.11 wireless communication technologyor protocols. In embodiments, wireless transceivers 906, 911, 916, 921and/or 926 may operate according to personal area network protocolsand/or technologies such as infrared, ZigBee, Bluetooth andultrawideband, or UWB protocols. In embodiments, transceivers 906, 911,916, 921 and/or 926 may operate according to cellular wirelesscommunication protocols such as GSM, CDMA, LTE, and/or EDGE.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella system withinduction and/or wireless charging to provide power to components andassemblies according to embodiments. In embodiments, alternating currentmay be introduced, connected and/or coupled in a wire loop generated analternating magnetic field which in turn induced an alternating currentin a nearby secondary coil. By attaching a load and/or devices to asecondary coil, the induced AC current could be made to do useful work(for example, charge a battery and/or provide power for other componentsin a system or device (e.g., a modular umbrella shading system). Inembodiments, solar panel cells and/or arrays 1005 may generateelectrical power from sunlight and transfer electrical power to a powerconverter 1011. In embodiments, a power converter 1011 may be coupledand/or connected to an expansion module primary coil 1015 (or inductionloop). In embodiments, an expansion module primary coil 1015 may bemagnetically coupled to an extension assembly secondary coil 1016 inorder to transfer power (e.g., voltage and/or current) to an extensionassembly secondary coil 1016. In embodiments, an extension assembly coil(and/or induction loop) may be magnetically coupled to a core assemblycoil 1022 (and/or induction loop) and may transfer power (e.g., voltageand/or current) to a core assembly coil 1022) to power components in,for example, a core assembly 1040. In embodiments, a core assembly coil1022 may be connected to a power source 1035 (e.g., a rechargeablebattery 1035). In embodiments, a rechargeable battery 1035 may providepower (e.g., voltage and/or current) to components, assemblies and/orsystems of a core assembly 1040 of a modular umbrella system. Inembodiments, a rechargeable battery 1035 may be coupled and/or connectedto a core assembly coil 1023 (or induction loop) and may transfer power(e.g., voltage and/or current) to a core assembly coil 1023. Inembodiments, a core assembly coil 1023 (and/or induction loop) may bemagnetically coupled to a first extension module first coil 1024 (and/orinduction loop) and transfer power to a first extension module 1020. Inembodiments, a first extension module first coil 1024 may be coupledand/or connected to a first extension module second coil 1025 andtransfer power (e.g., voltage and/or current) to a base assembly 1010(e.g, a base assembly coil 1026 or induction loop) and may transferpower to a base assembly coil 1026. In embodiments, a base assembly coil1026 may be coupled and/or connected to a base battery or power source1027. In embodiments, power transfer efficiency may be approximately 85to 95% with minimal power loss. In embodiments, a base induction loop1026 may be electrically coupled to a rechargeable battery 1027. Inembodiments, power that was originally generated by solar cells which isnot utilized by components, assemblies, or sensors of a modular umbrellasystem may be transferred to and stored in one or a plurality ofrechargeable batteries 1035 and/or 1027. When solar cells are notproviding enough power to operate components, assemblies and/or sensors,power from a rechargeable battery 1035 and/or 1027 may be utilized. Inembodiments, for example, power may be transferred from the rechargeablebattery 1027 to the base induction loop 1026 to a core induction loop1023 (via coils and/or induction loops in a first extension assembly ifa first extension assembly is utilized) and to a power source 1035,where power (e.g., voltage and/or current) is provided to components,assemblies and/or sensors that need power. In embodiments, for example,where two motors are being utilized at the same time and/or anintegrated computing device is communicating video to an externalcomputer server via a wireless transceiver, additional power may beneeded because solar panels 1005 may not supply all of the currentand/or voltage, a rechargeable battery 1035 and/or 1027 may provide theadditional necessary power.

In embodiments, wireless charging power transfer between modules andassemblies may take place utilizing induction loop technology asdescribed above. In embodiments, wireless charging power transferbetween modules and assemblies may transfer power between coilsoperating at resonant or close to resonant frequencies, which may bedetermined by the coils' distributed capacitance, resistance andinductance. In embodiments, an oscillating magnetic field generated bythe primary coil induces a current in the secondary coil but it takesadvantage of the strong coupling that occurs between resonant coils(e.g., coils operated at a same resonant frequency—even when a primarycoil and a secondary coil may be separated by tens of centimeters. Inembodiments, energy from a primary coil “tunnels” from a primary coil toa secondary coil instead of spreading omni-directionally from theprimary coil. In embodiments, although energy may still attenuates tosome degree with distance, the primary source of attenuation is the Qfactor (gain bandwidth) of the coils. In addition, with resonant couple,energy transfer is not reliant on the coils being in the sameorientation (providing that a secondary coil presents a large enoughcross section to a primary coil so that in each cycle a secondary coilabsorbs more energy than is lost by the primary). In embodiments, afurther advantage of the technology is its ability to transfer powerbetween a single primary coil and multiple secondary coils. Inembodiments, where a modular umbrella system is utilizing resonantenergy transfer, primary coils in one module and/or assembly may beplaced at a farther distance from secondary coils in another module orassembly as compared to inductive coupling. Resonant coupling still hasthe benefit of providing power without utilizing wires and thereforefreeing up more space. In addition, more space at connection points maybe freed up if resonant coupling or energy transfer is utilized due toresonant energy transfer being able to operate at larger distances. Inaddition, a core assembly, which comprises many components and/orassemblies benefits from resonant energy transfer's ability to have oneprimary coil and a number of secondary coils. For example, one secondarycoil may provide power for one motor assembly and another secondary coilmay provide power for another motor assembly. Resonant wireless chargingaddresses the main drawback of inductive wireless charging; therequirement to closely couple the coils which demands precise alignmentfrom the user.

In embodiments, a rechargeable battery may be installed and/or residentin a base assembly or module 110. In embodiments, a rechargeable batteryin a base assembly or module 110 may generate power to provide voltageand/or current to motors, printed circuit boards, assemblies, componentsand/or an integrated computing device in a modular umbrella system. Inother words, in embodiments, a rechargeable battery in a base assembly110 may provide power for a majority of components, assemblies, devicesand/or motors in a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a baseassembly 110 may comprise one or more rechargeable batteries. Inembodiments, a rechargeable battery in a base assembly 110 may utilizeLithium-based battery technology, such is Lithium-Ion or Nickel MetalHydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. In embodiments, a weight and/ormass or a rechargeable battery in a base assembly 110 may also providestability for a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments,rechargeable batteries may be placed in a uniform manner in a baseassembly 110 in order to provide an even distribution of weight. Forexample, one rechargeable battery may be placed on a left side of a baseassembly 110 and a second rechargeable battery may be placed in asymmetrical position on a right side of a base assembly 110. Inembodiments, utilization of one or more rechargeable batteries in a baseassembly 110 may allow for additional weight (or weights) to be removedfrom a base assembly 110.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system may comprise a wind sensor 194and a surface vent. In embodiments, an upper assembly 140 or a lowerassembly 142 of a core assembly or module 130 may be a location for awind sensor 191 and/or a surface vent. In embodiments, a wind sensor 191may be located in an interior position of an upper assembly and/or alower assembly. In embodiments, a surface and/or skin vent may be builtinto and/or integrated into an outer surface and/or skin of an upperassembly 140 and/or lower assembly 142 and may be positioned as to allowair flow into a wind sensor 191. In this embodiment, other externalfactors around a modular umbrella system 100 may not be an issue (e.g.,rain or snow or smoke) since a wind sensor 191 may be protected fromenvironmental factors. In addition, interior positioning of a windsensor 191 may keep it being broken and/or hit from objects and/orindividuals around a modular umbrella system 100.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise a DC powercharging port 192. In embodiments, a DC charging port 192 may comprise aUSB charging port. In embodiments, a DC charging port may be positionedat a 45 degree angle with respect to an outer surface of a core moduleor assembly 130 (or a first extension module or assembly 120, a basemodule or assembly 110, a second extension module or assembly 150). Inembodiments, a DC charging port 192 may be positioned at between a 10-80degree angle with respect to an outer surface of a core module assembly130 in order to protect a DC charging port 192 from rain, snow, moistureand/or other environmental conditions. In other words, by positioning aDC charging port 192 at an angle, moisture and/or other environmentalconditions may not enter a DC charging port 192. In embodiments, aplastic plug and/or covering may cover and/or protect a DC charging port192 and provide further protection from environmental conditions. Inembodiments, more than one charging ports 192 may be installed on amodular umbrella system 100.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may transfer video, imagesand/or audio to a mobile communication device. In embodiments, a modularumbrella system 100 may comprise a processor in an integrated computingdevice 136, a cellular transceiver 195, a local area network wireless orWiFi transceiver 196, a personal area network (e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee)transceiver 197, a microphone, and/or a camera 137. In embodiments, acamera 137 may capture images, video, and/or audio from an environmentsurrounding a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a processormay store captured images in a memory of an integrated computing device136 (e.g., a memory may be a volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory)and may transfer and/or communicate captured images, video and/or audioto a cellular transceiver 195. In embodiments, a cellular transceiver195 in a modular umbrella system may transfer and/or communicatereceived images, video and/or audio to a cellular transceiver in one ormore mobile computing devices via a cellular communication network. Inembodiments, the captured images, video and/or audio may not betransferred via a local area network wireless (e.g., WiFi, 802.11), orvia a personal area network (e.g., Bluetooth) and thus may not belimited to only being transmitted to devices within certain geographicareas or distance limitations. This allow remote monitoring of an areasurrounding a modular umbrella system 100 like from areas in differentbuilding, different cities or other remote areas. In embodiments,images, video and/or audio may be transferred from a cellulartransceiver of a mobile device to a display and/or speaker of a mobilecomputing device. In embodiments, images, video and/or audio may bedisplayed within a software application being executed by a processor ofa mobile computing device. In these embodiments, the captured video,audio and images may not pass through and/or communicated through apacket switched network (e.g., the Internet).

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a process of controlling a modularumbrella system by an object accordingly to embodiments. In embodiments,a user may be able to move a mobile computing device and a modularumbrella system may move in a same and/or similar fashion. For example,in embodiments, a user may move a mobile computing device to in a leftdirection at a 45 degree angle and an upper core assembly may moveapproximately 45 degrees with respect to a lower upper assembly (e.g.,utilizing an elevation motor assembly). As another illustrative example,a user may spin and/or rotate a mobile phone approximately 180 degrees,and a core assembly module 130 and/or a first extension module 120 mayrotate 180 degrees about a vertical axis with respect to a baseassembly. In embodiments, rather than utilizing a mobile computingdevice, a user may utilize another electronic object to controloperation of modular umbrella system by movement of the electronicdevice. In embodiments, an electronic object may be shaped like a hockeypuck, a console, a square, a remote control, or similarly shaped device.In embodiments, a user may move an electronic object in a direction anda modular umbrella system may respond by moving in a same and/or similardirection. In embodiments, for example, a user may move an hockey puckshaped electronic object in an upward swooping direction, and a modularumbrella may respond by deploying arm/spoke support assemblies from aclosed to an open position which results in arms/spokes deploying on amodular umbrella system. In embodiments, for example, a user may hit orknock an electronic object twice on a surface, and this movement mayresult in lighting assemblies being activated and turning on in amodular umbrella system.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device and/or an electronic objectmay comprise one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers, one or moreprocessors or controllers, and a transceiver. In embodiments, atransceiver may be a cellular transceiver, a personal area network (PAN)transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth, Zigbee) and/or a local area networkwireless (e.g., WiFi and/or 802.11) transceiver. In embodiments,movement of a mobile computing device and/or electronic object may causeone or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers to generate 1105measurements associated with and/or corresponding to the movement of themobile computing device and/or electronic object. In embodiments, one ormore gyroscopes or accelerometers may communicate 1110 generatedmeasurements to a processor which may communicate and transfer thegenerated measurements associated with a mobile computing device's or anelectronic device's movement to a transceiver. In embodiments, a mobilecomputing device and/or electronic object's transceiver may communicate1115 generated measurements to a corresponding transceiver in a modularumbrella system. In embodiments, for example, a PAN (e.g., Bluetooth)transceiver in a mobile computing device may communicate with a PAN(e.g., Bluetooth) transceiver in a modular umbrella system. Inembodiments, a transceiver in a modular umbrella system may receive 1120generated measurements from one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometersin a mobile computing device or electronic device and may communicategenerated measurements to a processor and/or controller of a modularumbrella system. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions storedin a memory may be executed by a processor and/or controller and mayanalyze 1125 received generated measurements from the one or moregyroscopes or accelerometers of, for example, a mobile computing device.In embodiments, computer-readable instructions stored in a memory may beexecuted by a processor or controller and may generate 1130 commands,messages, signals and/or instructions based on the analyzed receivedmeasurements of one or more gyroscopes and/or accelerometers of a mobilecomputing device and/or electronic object. In embodiments, for example,commands and/or messages may be sent to components, assemblies and/ordevices to cause movement of such. In embodiments, a processor and/orcontroller may communicate 1135 generated commands, messages, signalsand/or instructions to components, assemblies and/or devices to causemovement and/or activation of such components, assemblies, and/ordevices. For example, if a gyroscope and/or accelerometer generatesmeasurements corresponding to a rotation movement, a processor and/orcontroller in a modular umbrella system may communicate commands and/ormessages to an azimuth motor assembly to rotate a first extensionassembly 120 and/or core assembly 130 with respect to a base assembly110. While the above-described illustration utilizes a PAN transceiver,a WiFi and/or cellular transceiver may also be used to establishcommunications between a mobile computing device/electronic device and amodular umbrella system. Utilizing an electronic object and/or devicemay be helpful in outdoor environments where liquids, lotions and/orother substances may be present. In such embodiments, such liquids,lotions and/or substances may spill onto and cause a malfunction of amobile computing device, wherein an electronic object and/or device maybe outfitted or covered by a more durable surface material that mayresist environmental conditions (e.g., rain, wind, snow, smoke) as wellas liquids, lotions, oils and/or other substances. Thus, a user that hasjust applied sunscreen and/or suntan oil may be able to utilize anelectronic object and/or device to control operation of a modularumbrella system without damaging an electronic device.

In embodiments, a user may be able to operate and/or provide commands toa modular umbrella system 100 from a remote location or another areaseparate from an environment in which a modular umbrella system may beinstalled. FIG. 12 illustrates remote operation of a modular umbrellasystem according to embodiments. In embodiments, a user may initiateexecution 1205 of a modular umbrella control software (e.g.,computer-readable instructions executable by a processor of a mobilecomputing device). In embodiments, a user may initiate execution 1210 ofa speech recognition module, program or subroutine, in a modularumbrella control software. In embodiments, a user may speak and a mobilecomputing device microphone may receive voice command, convert voicecommands into electrical signals (analog and/or digital), and a voicerecognition module may process 1215 the electrical signals intoinstructions, commands, and/or messages. In embodiments, a voicerecognition module may be a third party voice recognition engine runningon a mobile computing device (e.g., Dragon voice recognition engine,etc.), a third party voice recognition module running on a separatephysical computing device (e.g., Amazon Alexa and Echo), or a voicerecognition module running as part of a shading object controlapplication software. In embodiments, for example, commands may berotate umbrella, open up umbrella spokes, turn on camera, communicationvideo and/or images from camera, and/or activate solar panel cells, etc.In embodiments, a mobile computing device (and/or modular umbrellacontrol software executing on a processor) may communicate 1220converted voice instructions, commands and/or messages via a cellulartransceiver of a mobile device to a cellular transceiver of a modularumbrella system via a cellular communications network. In embodiments, amodular umbrella system cellular transceiver may receive 1225communicated instructions, commands and/or messages via a cellularcommunications network. In embodiments, received instructions, commandsand/or messages may be communicated 1230 from a cellular transceiver toa processor in a modular umbrella system. In embodiments, a modularumbrella system processor may communicate 1235 commands, instructions,messages and/or signals to devices, components, and/or assemblies of amodular umbrella system (e.g., a camera, an azimuth motor assembly, asolar cell) to perform actions requested in the received voice commands.In embodiments, commands, instructions, messages and/or signals may becommunicated through a processor in a motion control board and/or aprocessor in an integrated computing device. In embodiments, devices,components, and/or assemblies of modular umbrella system may communicate1240 results, status, captured data and/or malfunctions to a processorof a modular umbrella system. In embodiments, a processor of a modularumbrella system may communicate 1245 results, status, captured dataand/or malfunction information to a cellular transceiver of a modularumbrella system. In embodiments, a cellular transceiver may communicate1250 results, status, captured data and/or malfunction information to acellular transceiver of a mobile computing device via a cellularcommunications network. In embodiments, received results, status,captured data and/or malfunction information may be communicated to amobile application software application. In embodiments, this allowsremote operation of a modular umbrella system via a cellular network andcellular communications. In embodiments, a cellular communicationsnetwork may operate utilizing GSM, CDMA, LTE and/or EDGE wirelessnetwork protocols. This allows a user to be in a completely differentgeographic location and still be able to control operations of a modularumbrella system. A user may be able to not only control operation butalso to capture environmental information from a modular umbrella system(e.g., sensors, cameras, etc.) and receive indications of such capturedinformation.

In embodiments, a base assembly 110 may comprise a beach baseattachment. In embodiments, a beach base attachment may comprise anactivation assembly, a motor assembly, a gearing assembly and a shaftassembly. In embodiments, a user may initiate an activation assembly. Inembodiments, an activation assembly may be a button and/or a switch. Inembodiments, an activation assembly may turn on and/or activate a motorassembly, which may cause a shaft to rotate and/or turn. In embodiments,a shaft's rotation may cause a gearing assembly to rotate and/or turn.In embodiments, a gearing assembly may rotate one or more shafts and/orprongs and cause one or more shafts and/or prongs to burrow and/or drivedeeper into the sand in order to provide stability to a modular umbrellasystem 100. In embodiments, a base assembly 110 may comprise a grass orground attachment. In embodiments, a grass or ground attachment orassembly may comprise an activation assembly, a motor assembly, agearing assembly and/or a stake assembly. In embodiments, a user mayinitiate or execute an activation assembly. In embodiments, anactivation assembly may be a button and/or a switch. In embodiments, anactivation assembly may turn on and/or activate a motor assembly, whichmay cause a shaft to rotate and/or turn. In embodiments, a shaft'srotation may cause a gearing assembly to rotate and/or turn. Inembodiments, a gearing assembly may rotate one or more stakes and/orprongs and cause one or more stakes and/or prongs to burrow into aground surface. In embodiments, burrowing into a ground surface mayprovide greater stability for a base assembly 110. Prior art umbrellasystems may utilize weights, a heavier base and/or a wider base toprovide stability. However, the apparatus described herein may adjust todensity of a ground surface and/or sand and dig deep enough to providenecessary stability. In embodiments, a grass or ground attachment (orbeach attachment) may be adjustable depending on necessary depth neededto provide stability for a modular umbrella system.

FIG. 14 illustrates a base surface attachment according to embodiments.In embodiments, a base attachment 1400 comprises a power activationbutton 1410, a motor 1420 and one or more blades 1430. In embodiments, afirst extension assembly or module 1440 or core assembly or module (notshown) may be inserted and/or placed into an opening of a base surfaceattachment 1400 and may be placed in a locked position. In embodiments,when a power activation button 1410 is pressed, an individual motor 1420may be activated and operate in forward and/or reverse. In embodiments,an individual motor 1420 may drive and/or spin blades 1430 to pull intograss and/or a beach (or another ground surface). In embodiments,additional blades 1435 may be screwed into blades 1430 to provideadditional support for the base attachment 1400 of a modular umbrellasystem 100. In embodiments, additional blades 1435 may be a plasticblade (e.g., or screw) that is attached and/or corrected to a bottomportion of a blade 1430 to be utilized to dig into or burrow into adifferent type for surface (e.g., sand or loose dirt as opposed to grassand/or compact dirt). In embodiments, blades 1430 and/or additionalblades 1435 may be comprised of a metal material, a composite materialsand/or a plastic material.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may comprise an interiorumbrella security system. In embodiments, a module or assembly of amodular umbrella system 100 may comprise an interior umbrella securitysystem. In embodiments, for example, a core module or assembly 140 maycomprise an interior umbrella security system. In other embodiments, abase module or assembly 110 and/or an expansion sensor module 160 maycomprise an interior security system. In embodiments, an interiorsecurity system may comprise one or more sensors, one or more camerasand one or more lighting assemblies. In embodiments, if an unauthorizeduser or operator attempts to open one or more of the umbrella modules(e.g., a base module, a core module and/or an expansion sensor module)by removing a skin and/or housing, a sensor attached to a skin orhousing may be tripped and/or activated, and may communicate a signal,command and/or message to a controller and/or processor in a modularumbrella system 100. In embodiments, a controller and/or processor in amodular umbrella system 100 may communicate a command and/or message toa camera to activate a camera. In embodiments, a camera may captureimages and/or video and communicate captured images and video to amemory of an integrated computing device in a modular umbrella system orto a remote cloud-based server. In embodiments, a processor and/orcontroller may communicate a command and/or message to one or morelighting assemblies to place lighting assemblies in an alarm mode. Inembodiments, lighting assemblies may begin to blink or display adifferent color if in alarm mode (indicating that a skin assembly and/orhousing has been breached. In embodiments, this allows a manufacturer tovoid a warranty if unauthorized access occurs. In addition, inembodiments, a user and/or operator may utilize this feature todetermine if an individual or company has accessed an interior of amodule umbrella system and sabotaged the umbrella. In addition, amanufacturer may also be able, if a camera is utilized, to storeinformation regarding all individuals who have breached an interior of amodular umbrella system.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may comprise a clutchsystem for manually operating a modular umbrella system. FIG. 15illustrates a clutch system according to embodiments. In embodiments, auser and/or operator may desire to manually position a modular umbrellasystem without utilizing any of the motors (e.g., azimuth motor,elevation motor and/or extension/expansion motor). In embodiments, auser and/or operator may desire to manually position an azimuth locationbut still allow motors to move a modular umbrella system to an elevationposition and/or an expansion/extension position (e.g., in other words,utilize manual movement for one or more positions and motor positioningfor other positions and/or elevations). In embodiments, a button maydisable utilization of one or more motor assemblies (e.g., or aselection of an item in modular umbrella control software may disable ordeactivate motor assemblies in a modular umbrella system). Inembodiments where one or more motor assemblies are disabled, a clutch1500 may be activated and/or utilized to cause a shaft to move, forexample, an cause a core module assembly 130 and/or first extensionassembly 120 to rotate with regard to a base assembly 110. Similarly, aclutch may be activated and/or utilized to cause a shaft to move anarm/spoke extension support assembly (and thus attached arms and/orspokes from a closed to an open position (or vice versa). FIG. 15illustrates a clutch assembly according to embodiments. FIG. 15illustrates a lever or switch 1510 utilized to engage a clutch tomanually mechanically adjust, for example, a position of a modularumbrella system. In embodiments, a clutch may electronically adjust aposition of a modular umbrella system. For example, in embodiments, alever or switch 1510 may manually retract arm support assemblies of anexpansion sensor module or assembly. In embodiments, for example, alever or switch 1510 may manually move an upper support assembly 1515 toa rest position from an angled position with respect to a lower supportassembly 1520. In embodiments, a lever or switch 1510 may allow multiplepositions (e.g., not fully open or closed (e.g., less or more engaged)for different assemblies of a modular umbrella system.

In embodiments, a mobile computing device may be communicatively linkedwith one or more modular umbrella systems. In embodiments, mobilecomputing devices may be communicatively coupled to one or more modularumbrella systems directly (e.g., via a personal area network), viawireless local area network wireless communications (e.g., directly, orvia access points, and/or via a cloud-based server utilizing WiFi or802.11 communication protocols) and/or via cellular communicationnetworks. In embodiments, personal area network wireless communicationprotocols may include Zigbee, Bluetooth, RC-5, SIRCS, RC-6, R-Step,NTC101, etc.).

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of a modular umbrella systemaccording to embodiments. In embodiments, as is illustrated in FIG. 13,a modular umbrella shading system 1300 may comprise a telemetry printedcircuit board (PCB) comprising a processor 1305, a weather variable PCBcomprising a processor 1310, a voice recognition PCB and/or engine 1315,a rechargeable battery 1320, and one or more solar panels and/or solarpanel arrays 1325. In embodiments, a modular umbrella shading system1300 may comprise a power tracking solar charger 1330, a power input orpower source (e.g., AC adapter assembly) 1335, a lighting assembly 1370,an audio system 1375 and/or a computing device 1360. In embodiments, amodular umbrella shading system may include an obstacle detection module1355, a motion sensor 1345, a proximity sensor 1340, a tilt sensor 1355,a personal area network communications module or transceiver 1365, afirst motor controller and motor (azimuth motor and controller) 1380, asecond motor controller and motor (elevation motor and controller) 1385,and a third motor controller and motor (an actuator motor andcontroller) 1390. In embodiments, a weather variable PCB 1310 may becoupled and/or connected to one or more air quality sensors 1311, UVradiation sensors 1312, a digital barometer sensor 1313, a temperaturesensor 1314, a humidity sensor 1316, and/or a wind speed sensor 1317. Inembodiments, a wind sensor 1317 may be a thermistor. In embodiments, atelemetry PCB 1305 may be coupled and/or connected to a GPS/GNSS sensor1307 and/or a digital compass 1308. Although at times a modular umbrellashading system, shading object, intelligent umbrella and/or shadingcharging system may singularly be mentioned, the disclosure herein maybe implemented in any of the above-mentioned devices and/or apparatus.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella shading system may comprise one ormore printed circuit boards. Although a description may reference aspecific printed circuit board, many of features or functions of amodular umbrella shading system may be implemented utilizing componentsmounted on a single, two or three circuit boards. In addition, one ormore components may be mounted on printed circuit boards, which resultsin a large number of circuit boards within a modular umbrella shadingsystem. In other words, a number of circuit boards may be utilized toprovide features and/or functions of a shading object and/or umbrellaalthough embodiments described herein may only describe a specificnumber. Although the term “circuit board” or “printed circuit board” isutilized, any electronic device allowing installation on and communicatewith components may be utilized along with circuit board. As used inthis specification, the terms “printed circuit board” and “PCB” areintended to refer generally to any structure used to mechanicallysupport and electrically connect electronic components using conductivepathways, tracks, or signal traces etched from (e.g., copper) sheetslaminated onto a non-conductive substrate. Synonyms for printed circuitboards include printed wiring boards and etched wiring boards.

In embodiments, a shading object, umbrella and/or shading chargingsystem may comprise one or more printed circuit boards. In embodiments,a shading object or umbrella 1300 may comprise a movement control PCB1395, a shading object computing device or computing device PCB 1360, afirst motor PCB (azimuth control) 1380, a second motor PCB (elevationcontrol) 1385, a third motor PCB (actuation/deployment control) 1390, atelemetry PCB (location and orientation data/information collection)1305, and/or a weather variable PCB (environmental sensordata/information collection) 1310.

In embodiments, a telemetry PCB 1305 comprises a processor, a memory, aGPS receiver and/or transceiver and/or a compass (e.g. a digital)compass). The GPS receiver and/or compass provides location andorientation information and/or measurements which may be transferred toa memory utilizing a processor. In embodiments, a telemetry PCBprocesses and conditions the communicated information and/ormeasurements. In embodiments, a telemetry PCB 1305 communicatesmeasurements and/or additional information (e.g., in some cases,measurements are conditioned and processed and in some cases,measurements are raw data) to a shading object movement control PCB 1395which analyzes the received location and/or orientation information andmeasurements.

In embodiments, a weather variable PCB 1310 comprises a processor, amemory, an air quality sensor, a UV radiation sensor, a barometer, atemperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and/or a wind speed sensor. Oneor more of the listed sensors may generate environmental and/or weathermeasurements and/or information, which may be transferred to a memoryutilizing a processor. In embodiments, a weather variable PCB 1310processes and conditions information and measurements from the one ormore sensors. In embodiments, a weather variable PCB 1310 communicatesreceived environmental and/or weather sensor measurements (e.g., in somecases conditioned and processed and in some cases raw data) to a shadingobject movement control PCB 1395 which analyzes the received locationand/or orientation information and measurements.

In embodiments, a core assembly or module 130 may comprise an umbrellamovement control PCB 1395, as well as an integrated computing device PCB1360. In embodiments, a movement control PCB 1395 may also be located ina base assembly or module 110. In embodiments, other terms may beutilized in place of circuit board, such as printed circuit board, aflexible circuit board, and/or an integrated circuit. In embodiments, anumbrella movement control PCB 1395 may consume a low amount of power andmay be referred to as a low-power PCB. In embodiments, this may prove tobe a benefit as compared to prior-art umbrellas which utilized a largeamount of power and thus needed to have power from a power source andcould not be powered by an array of solar cells providing power to asolar power charger 1330. In embodiments, a solar array may provideenough provide power to power components on an umbrella movement controlPCB 1395. In this case, for example, components and associatedactivities controlled by an umbrella movement circuit PCB 1395 may notconsumer large amounts of power because these activities do not requirecontinuous operation and may only receive information or measurements ona periodic basis. As an example, an intelligent shading object 1300 maynot be rotating and/or tilting frequently. Thus, in embodiments,therefore, sensors providing these measurements (e.g., a tilt sensor orsunlight sensor), and a movement control PCB communicating thesemeasurements may not need to be in an active state at all times, whichresults in significant power usage savings for a shading object and/orcontroller.

In embodiments, a motion control PCB 1395 may comprise a processor, anon-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and many other componentsdescribed above and below. In embodiments, for example,computer-readable instructions may be fetched from a non-volatilememory, loaded into a volatile memory, and executed by a processor toperform actions assigned to, controlled and/or commanded a motioncontrol PCB 1395. In embodiments, non-volatile memory may be flashmemory, ASIC, ROMs, PROMs, EEPROMs, solid state memory, CD, DVD,persistent optical storage or magnetic storage media.

In embodiments, as a further example, modular umbrella shading systemmotors, e.g., a first motor (azimuth movement motor), a second motor(elevation movement motor), and/or a third motor (articulation oractuator movement motor) may not be utilized frequently, so there doesnot need to be a large amount of power utilized by these motors within ashading object. In embodiments, when motors and/or motor assemblies areoperating, the motors may require 2 to 3 amps. If system is idle and forexample, the shading computer is not operating, an intelligent shadingobject may only require 180 milliamps. If an audio system is operating,e.g., music is playing and the amplifier and speakers are beingutilized, only 400-500 milliamps, In addition, motor controllers may notbe utilized frequently since the motor controllers may not be drivingand/or sending commands, instructions, and/or signals to motorsfrequently. Thus, a low-power movement control PCB 1395 may provide ashading object owner with power usage savings and efficiency.

In embodiments, readings and/or measurements from sensors may cause amovement control PCB 1395 to transmit commands, instructions, and/orsignals to either a first motor control PCB 1380 (azimuth movement), asecond motor control PCB 1385 (elevation movement), and/or a third motorcontrol PCB 1390 (actuation movement), in order to cause specificmovements of different assemblies of a modular umbrella shading system.For example, in embodiments, a GPS transceiver 1306 may receive GPSsignals and provide GPS measurements (e.g., values representative of alongitude, latitude, and/or an altitude reading) to a movement controlPCB 1395. In embodiments, a movement control PCB 1395 may analyze theGPS measurements and determine that a shading object, umbrella, and/orshading charging system should be moved to a specific elevation. Inother words, in embodiments, a movement control PCB 1395 may utilize GPSgenerated measurements to direct a second motor assembly to move to aproper elevation. In embodiments, GPS measurements (coordinates andtime) identify a proper elevation of the sun based on a geographiclocation. In embodiments after a core assembly of module 130 may bemoved to a position identified by GPS measurements, arm/spoke supportassemblies 163 may be extend and the arms and/or blades 164 may be fullydeployed. In embodiments, a movement control PCB 1396 may communicatecommands, instructions, and/or signals to a second motor control PCB1385 to cause an upper core assembly 140 of a core assembly 130 torotate or move approximately 45 degrees in a downward direction withrespect to a lower core assembly 142 of the center support assembly. Inembodiments, a movement control PCB 1395 may communicate commands,instructions, and/or signals to a third motor control PCB to fullyextend arm/blade support assemblies 163 (e.g. articulatingblades/assemblies) and also arms/blades 164.

In embodiments, a digital compass 1307 may generate a heading and/ororientation measurement and a telemetry PCB 1305 may communicate aheading and/or orientation measurement to a movement control PCB 1395.In embodiments, a movement control PCB 1395 may analyze a headingmeasurement and generate and/or communicate commands, instructions,and/or signals to a first control PCB 880 to rotate a first extensionassembly 120 and a core assembly or module 130 to face or move theshading object towards a light source (e.g., a sun). In embodiments,digital compass measurements may be utilized as directional input for anazimuth (or first motor). In embodiments, a movement control PCB 1395may calculate counts and/or limits for motors to properly orient anintelligent shading object based on GPS measurements and/or digitalcompass measurements. Continuing with this embodiment, a movementcontrol PCB 1395 may generate and/or communicate commands, instructions,and/or signals to a third motor controller PCB 890 to cause arm supportassemblies 163 to be extended or deployed along with arms/blades 164.

In embodiments, a wind speed sensor 1317 may generate measurements and avariable weather PCB 1310 may communicate measurements to a shadingobject movement control PCB 1395. In embodiments, a movement control PCB1395 may analyze and/or compare communicated measurements to a thresholdin order to determine if unsafe conditions are present. In embodiments,for example, if a wind speed threshold is reached or exceeded,identifying an unsafe condition, a movement control PCB 1395 maycommunicate commands, instructions, and/or signals to move shadingobject assemblies to a rest position. Continuing with this illustrativeexample, a movement control PCB 1395 may communicate commands orinstructions or signals to a second movement control PCB to cause anupper core assembly 140 to move to an original position (e.g., at restposition), which may be where an upper core assembly 140 is a verticalextension of a lower assembly 142. In embodiments, a movement controlPCB 1395 may communicate instructions, commands and/or signals to athird motor control PCB 1390 to move arm/spoke support assemblies 163back into an upper assembly and/or retract arm/spoke support assemblies163 into channels of an upper assembly 140. In embodiments, a movementcontrol PCB 1395 may communicate commands, instructions and/or signalsto a sound reproduction system 1375 and/or a display device to warn auser of unsafe wind conditions. Although the description abovecorresponds to a modular umbrella shading system of FIGS. 1 and 2, thedescription applies to similar components in the intelligent shadingcharging system, intelligent umbrellas, and/or shading objects.

In embodiments, a first motor control PCB 1380, a second motor controlPCB 1385, a third motor control PCB 1390 and a movement control PCB 1395may be connected to each other via wires and/or traces and instructionsmay, commands and/or signals may be communicated via wires and/ortraces. In embodiments, the motor control PCBs 1380, 1385 and 1390 maycommunicate with a movement control PCB 895 via a personal area networkcommunications protocol, e.g., Bluetooth. In embodiments, a weathervariable PCB 1310 and/or a telemetry PCB 1305 may communicate with amovement control PCB 1395 via wires, traces, integrated circuits, and/orinterfaces and communicate instructions, commands or signals. Inembodiments, a weather variable PCB 1310 and a telemetry PCB 1305 maycommunicate with a movement control PCB 1395 via personal area networkprotocols (utilizing a PAN transceiver—e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver).In embodiments, motor control PCBs 1380 1385 1390 may communicatedirectly (either via wires or a wireless communication protocol) with aweather variable PCB 1310 and/or a telemetry PCB 1305 without utilizinga computing device 1360 and/or a movement control PCB 1395.

In embodiments, as described above, a modular umbrella shading systemmay comprise a computing device PCB (e.g., a single board computer or asystem on a chip), which may comprise a computing device 1360 in ashading object, intelligent umbrella and/or shading charging system. Inembodiments, a modular umbrella shading system may comprise a computingdevice 1360 which is not installed and/or mounted on a computing devicePCB. In embodiments, a computing device 1360 and/or a computing devicePCB may consume a larger amount of power (with respect to movementcontrol PCB 1395) due to activities it is responsible for executingbeing performed more frequently and/or with a higher data throughput. Inembodiments, an integrated computing device 1360 may be responsible forcamera control, video and/image processing, external Wi-Ficommunication, e.g., such as operating as a hot spot, as well as runningvarious software applications associated with the modular umbrellashading system. The computing device 1360, because of operating andbeing responsible for more data intensive features and/or functions, mayrequire more processing power due to extended operation and continuousdata throughput. In embodiments, a computing device may be integratedinto a core assembly or module 130. In embodiments, a computing devicemay be integrated into a base assembly or module 110. In embodiments, acomputing device may be incorporated into an expansion sensor module orassembly 160.

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of a movement control PCB accordingto embodiments. Returning back to discussion of a movement control PCB,in embodiments, a movement control PCB 895 may comprise aprocessor/controller 1605, a proximity sensor 1610, a motion sensor1615, a tilt sensor 1620, a personal area network transceiver 1630, anaudio receiver 1635 (optional), one or more speakers 1640, and/or amemory 1650 having modular umbrella or shading object control software(e.g., executable instructions stored in a non-volatile memory 1651 andexecutable by a processor 1605). In embodiments, an umbrella movementcontrol PCB 1395 may comprise a USB transceiver 1360. In embodiments, anumbrella movement control PCB 1395 may comprise sensor interfacesubsystem 1655 for communicating sensor measurements to an umbrellamovement control PCB 1395 and communicate commands and/or signals fromand two to external sensors. In embodiments, a sensor interfacesubsystem 1655 may be located, or may also be located on a telemetry PCB1305, a weather variable PCB 1310, and/or first, second, or third motorcontrol PCBs 1380, 1385, and 1390. For example, in embodiments, amodular umbrella shading system may also include a signal conditioningsubsystem which may also be referred to as a sensor interface system andthe terms may be utilized interchangeably throughout the specification.In embodiments, an intelligent shading object, umbrella and/or shadingcharging system (and the signal conditioning subsystem) may furthercomprise one or more reference signal modules, one or more signalconditioning modules, and one or more analog-to-digital converters. Inan embodiment, one or more sensors (e.g., air quality sensor 1611, UVradiation sensor 1612, wind speed sensor 1617, motion sensor 1645,and/or tilt sensor 1655) may receive communicated analog signals and maytransmit analog signals to signal conditioning modules 1655. Inembodiments, a signal conditioning module 1655 may process and/orcondition communicated analog sensor signals. Although signals aredescribed as being analog, the description herein equally applies todigital signals. In embodiments, one or more signal conditioning modulesmay communicate and/or transfer processed and/or conditioned signals toone or more A-to-D converters. In embodiments, one or more signalreference modules may be a non-volatile memory, or other storage device,that stores and/or retrieves signal values that the communicated signalvalues may be compared to in order to determine if threshold conditionsmay be met. In embodiments, a comparison of communicated signal valuesto reference signal values may allow the signal conditioning system tounderstand if normal conditions are being experienced by a modularumbrella shading system or if a modular umbrella shading system may beexperiencing abnormal conditions, (e.g., high humidity, high movement,high wind, and/or bad air quality).

FIG. 16 illustrates an umbrella movement control PCB according toembodiments. In embodiments, an umbrella movement control PCB 1395 maycomprise a proximity sensor 1340. In embodiments, a proximity sensor1340 may be able to detect a presence of nearby objects, (e.g., peopleor other physical objects) without any physical contact between a sensorand an object. In embodiments, a proximity sensor 1340 be located onand/or mounted on a movement control PCB 1395. In embodiments, aproximity sensor 1340 may be located on and/or mounted on other printedcircuit boards or may be a standalone component in a shading objectsystem. In embodiments, a proximity sensor 1340 may be located within acore assembly or module 130. In embodiments, a proximity sensor 1340 maygenerate measurements and/or signals, which may be communicated to aprocessor/controller 1605 in a movement control PCB 1395. Inembodiments, an umbrella movement control board 1605 may storecommunicated measurements and/or signals, which has instructions storedthereon. In embodiments, proximity sensor software instructions, whichare fetched from memory 1650 and executed by a processor 1605, mayperform and/or execute a proximity process or method. In embodiments,for example, a proximity process may comprise receiving measurementsand/or signals from a proximity sensor 1340 indicating an object and/orperson may be located in an area where a shading object is deployed,going to be deployed and/or extended, and/or towards where a componentof a shading object may be moving. For example, if an individual islocated in an area where arm support assemblies may be deployed and/orextended, a proximity sensor 1340 may transmit a signal or measurementindicating an object may be an obstruction to, for example, a movementcontrol PCB 1395. In embodiments, a processor/controller 1605 in amovement control PCB may receive and/or analyze a proximity measurementand determine an object may be an obstacle. In embodiments, a proximitysignal and/or command may also identify a location of an object (e.g.,obstacle) in relation to a proximity sensor 1340 and/or some referencelocation. In embodiments, a processor of a movement control PCB maygenerate and/or communicate a driving signal, command, and/orinstruction that instructs a shading object not to deploy and/or open.In embodiments, for example, a processor/controller 1605 in a movementcontrol PCB 1395 may communicate a signal and/or commands to a thirdmotor controller to cause the third motor to stop moving the arm/bladesupport assembly 163 due to an obstacle detection. In embodiments, forexample, a movement control PCB 81395 may communicate a signal and/orcommands to a second motor controller a second motor (articulatingand/or elevation motor) to cause a second motor to stop moving angearbox assembly and/or actuator and prevent an upper core assembly 140of a core assembly or module from moving into an area where an obstacleis detected. In embodiments, this may also work in the oppositedirection, where if a proximity sensor 1340 does not determine that anobject is within a modular umbrella shading system area, then aproximity sensor signal may not be communicated to theprocessor/controller 1605 in a movement control PCB 1395.

In embodiments, an umbrella movement control PCB 1395 may comprise amotion sensor 1345. In embodiments, a motion sensor 1345 may generate asignal and/or measurement indicating that an individual, a livingorganism, or an object is within an area covered by a motion sensor1345. For example, a motion sensor 1345 may generate a signal if anindividual and/or object is approaching a modular umbrella shadingsystem, is within 5 or 10 feet of an umbrella, or is moving within ashading area. In embodiments, a motion sensor 1345 may be located onand/or mounted on a movement control PCB 1395. In embodiments, a motionsensor 1345 may be located on and/or mounted on other printed circuitboards or may be a standalone component in a shading object system. Inembodiments, a motion sensor 1345 may be located within a core assemblyor module 130. In embodiments, a motion sensor 1345 may generatemeasurements and/or signals, which may be communicated to aprocessor/controller 1605 in a movement control PCB 1395. Inembodiments, an umbrella movement control board 905 may storecommunicated measurements and/or signals, in a memory 1650. Inembodiments, motion sensor software instructions, may be fetched frommemory 1650 and executed by a processor 1605, and may cause a processor1605 to perform and/or execute a motion detection process or method.

FIG. 17 illustrates a power subsystem in a modular umbrella systemaccording to embodiments. In embodiments, a modular umbrella shadingsystem may comprise a power tracking solar charger 1330. In embodiments,a core module assembly 130 of a modular umbrella shading system maycomprise and/or house a power tracking solar charger 1330. Continuingwith this illustrative embodiment, a power tracking solar charger 1330may be located in and/or on an upper core assembly 140 of a core moduleassembly 130, or alternatively in or on a bottom core assembly 142 of acore module assembly 130. In embodiments, a power tracking solar charger1330 may be connected to one or more solar cells 1710, a rechargeablebattery 1320, and/or an AC adapter 1335 or 1720. In embodiments, aphotovoltaic (PV) cell, or “solar cell” may be a smallest semiconductorelement that converts sunlight into electricity. In embodiments, asemiconductor silicon may be treated so that silicon generates a flow ofelectricity when a light shines on it. In embodiments, a PV array orcells may be an interconnected system of PV cells that may function as asingle electricity-producing unit. In embodiments, a PV array 1710 maycomprise one of more of the strips of solar cells. In embodiments, a PVarray 1710 may comprise one solar cell strip. In embodiments, one ormore solar cells 1710 (e.g., a PV array 1710) may provide power directlyto a power tracking solar charger 1330 and/or a rechargeable battery820. In embodiments, one or more solar cells 1710 (or solar arrays) mayprovide power to motor assemblies, components, printed circuit boards,and/or other assemblies 1797 in a modular umbrella shading system.

In embodiments, a power tracking solar charger 1330 may be coupledand/or connected to a rechargeable battery 1320. In embodiments, a powertracking solar charger 1330 may be coupled and/or connected to an ACadapter 1335 (or DC power adapter), which is coupled and/or connected toa power source. In embodiments, a charging assembly 1330 may be coupledto one or more solar cells 1710 or solar arrays. In embodiments, a powertracking solar charger 1330 may include a control panel 1775, acontroller 1780, a non-volatile memory 1785 and a volatile memory 1790,the non-volatile memory 1785 comprising computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions, which are fetched and loaded intovolatile memory 1790 for execution by a controller or processor 1280 toperform a power monitoring, tracking and distribution process. Inembodiments, a power monitoring, tracking and/or distribution processmay monitor power levels and/or power conditions of different componentsof a shading object (e.g., a motion control PCB 1395, arrays of solarcells 1710), a rechargeable battery 1320). In embodiments, a powertracking and monitoring process may communicate information regardingpower levels and/or power conditions of a solar charger 1330 (and othershading object components) to a control panel 1775 and/or to a portableelectronic device to display to a user and/or owner.

In embodiments, a power tracking solar charger 1330 may transferincoming power (e.g., voltage and/or current) generated by the solarcells to one or more converters (e.g., a DC-to-DC converters) 1795. Inembodiments, a rechargeable battery 1320 may provide power (e.g.,voltage and/or current) to a DC-to-DC converter 1795. In embodiments,one or more DC-to-DC converters 1795 may transfer voltage and/or currentto one or more PCBs, components, motor assemblies, and/or otherassemblies of a shading object. In embodiments, a DC-to-DC converter1795 may be utilized to provide lower operating voltages, e.g., 3.3 VDCor 5.0 VDC or other voltages, to components, boards and/or assemblies1797 operating on a lower DC voltage. In embodiments, rechargeablebattery 1320 may transfer incoming power (e.g., voltage and/or current)to one or more converters 1795, and a power charger 1330 may monitorpower distribution and power levels. In embodiments, a rechargeablebattery 1320 may provide power to shading object or umbrella motorassemblies, PCBs, components, and/or assemblies 1797. If high powerrequirements are existing due to operating conditions (e.g., motorsrunning), a rechargeable battery 1320 and solar cells or solar cellarrays may both provide power to one or more PCBs, components, motorassemblies, and/or other assemblies of a shading object.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella shading system may comprise a voicerecognition engine 1315. In embodiments, a shading object motion controlPCB 1395 may have a voice recognition engine 1315 mounted and/or locatedthereon. A voice recognition engine is described in detail in U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/160,856, filed May 20,2016, entitled “Automated Intelligent Shading Objects andComputer-Readable Instructions for Interfacing With, Communicating Withand Controlling a Shading Object,” and U.S. non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/160,822, filed May 20, 2016, entitled“Intelligent Shading Objects with Integrated Computing Device, thedisclosure of both applications being hereby incorporated by reference.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella shading system may comprise one ormore digital cameras 1357 and/or other analog-based cameras. Inembodiments, one or more cameras 1357 may comprise an optical systemand/or an image generation system. In embodiments, digital cameras 1357may display images on a screen immediately after being captured. Inembodiments, one or more digital cameras 1357 may store and/or deleteimages from a memory associated with a digital camera. In embodiments,one or more digital cameras 857 may capture, record and/or moving videoswith or without sound. In embodiments, digital cameras 1357 may alsoincorporate computer-readable and computer-executable instructionswhich, which when retrieved from a non-volatile memory, loaded into amemory, and executed by a processor, may crop and/or stitch pictures,and/or potentially perform other image editing on captured images. Forexample, image stitching or photo stitching is the process of combiningmultiple photographic images with overlapping fields of view to producea segmented panorama and/or high-resolution image. In embodiments, imagestitching may be performed through the use of computer software embodiedwithin a digital camera. In embodiments, a digital camera may alsointernally perform video stitching. In embodiments, other devices,components and/or assemblies may perform image stitching, videostitching, cropping and/or other photo editing. In embodiments,computer-readable instructions loaded into a memory of a movementcontrol PCB 1395 and/or integrated computing device 1360, may beexecutable by a processor to perform image stitching, video stitching,cropping and/or other photo editing. In embodiments, computer-readableinstructions may be loaded into a memory located within a modularumbrella shading system and executable by a processor to perform theabove-identified photo editing.

In embodiments, cameras may capture images of an area around,surrounding, and/or adjacent to shading objects, intelligent umbrellas,and/or intelligent shading charging systems. In embodiments, a stemassembly 106 and/or a central support assembly 107 may comprise a camera857. In embodiments, a stem assembly 106 and/or center support assembly107 may rotate (e.g., up to 360 degrees) about a vertical axis withrespect to a base assembly 105—FIGS. 1A and 1B) (or a lower supportassembly 187 and/or an upper support assembly 191 may rotate aboutand/or around a housing and/or enclosure 182—FIG. 1C) and this may allowa camera to capture images, videos and/or sound corresponding to 360degrees of an area surrounding, around and/or adjacent to a shadingobject, intelligent umbrella and/or intelligent shading charging system.In embodiments, a camera 857 and/or other components or assemblies (asdiscussed above) may stich or combine images and/or videos to provide apanoramic image of the area. The ability of a shading object to rotateallows a benefit of panoramic image capture and not just an area where acamera is initially oriented. In embodiments, a camera 857 may have oneor more images resolutions (e.g., 1 Megapixel (MP), 3 MP, 4 MP, 8 MP, 13MP and/or 38 MP) that are selectable and/or adjustable.

FIG. 18 illustrates a shading object or umbrella integrated computingdevice in a modular umbrella system according to embodiments. Inembodiments, an integrated computing device PCB 1800 may comprise awireless WiFi or LAN wireless transceiver 1810 (which may or may notoperate as a wireless hotspot and/or router), a separate wirelesshotspot device 1015, one or more audio/video transceivers 1820 (e.g.,PAN transceivers), one or more processors 1825, one or more non-volatilememories 1830 and one or more memory components 1835. In embodiments,many of the components may reside on a computing device PCB. Inembodiments, a separate PCB may house or have some of the above-listedcomponents (e.g., local area network or WiFi transceiver 1810, wirelesshotspot device 1815) mounted thereon and a shading object computingdevice may comprise non-volatile memory 1830 (e.g., a flash drive, ahard drive, a removable disk drive), and a volatile memory 1835 such asRAM, and on or more processors 1825.

In embodiments, computer-readable and/or computer-executableinstructions may be stored in non-volatile memory, fetched by one ormore processors 1825, loaded into RAM 1835, and executed by one or moreprocessors 1825 to perform data intensive functions, execute processessuch as a healthcare process (e.g., selecting a healthcare option from adashboard of a mobile application), a security process (e.g., selectinga security option from a dashboard of a mobile application), an energyprocess or application (e.g., selecting an energy option from adashboard of a mobile application), a weather application or processor(e.g., selecting a weather option from a dashboard of a mobileapplication), and/or communicating with external devices (e.g., wirelessaccess points, portable electronic devices, servers, networks). Inembodiments, an integrated computing device 860 and/or a computingdevice PCB may consume more power due to higher data throughput andhigher utilization time. Having a computing device integrated into anintelligent shading object or umbrella, provides a benefit, as to priorart shading objects or umbrellas, of allowing an intelligent shadingobject to run software applications, communicate with data intensivedevices, such as cameras and/or audio system, utilize WiFi or otherwireless communication transmissions, operate as a WiFi hotspot (orother wireless communication hub) and communicate with externalcomputing devices to transfer data obtained by the intelligent shadingobject.

In embodiments, an integrated computing device 1800 may communicate withapplication servers, mobile applications servers, proxy servers, and/orother computing devices on a global communications network (e.g., theInternet). In embodiments, a computing device may handle data and/orcommand communications between external devices and a shading object. Inembodiment, an integrated computing device 1360 may handle intra-shadingobject communications requiring more extensive processing power and/orhigher data transfer rates. In embodiments, a core module assembly 130may house an integrated computing device. In embodiments, a core moduleassembly 130 may also house a computing device PCB to which a computingdevice 1360 may be attached to and/or connected.

In embodiments, an integrated computing device 1360 or 1800 may be aLinux-based computing device (e.g., Raspberry PI) although otheroperating systems and/or other processor types may be utilized. Inembodiments, a shading object may comprise one or more transceivers tocommunicate with wireless access points utilizing a wirelesscommunication protocol. In embodiments, one or more wirelesstransceivers may communicate voice and/or data communications to anaccess point, which in turn may communicate received voice and/or datacommunications to a packet-switched network (e.g., a globalcommunications network such as the Internet, an intranet, or a privatenetwork) or a circuit-switched network (such as existingtelecommunications system).

In embodiments, an integrated computing device may comprise a WiFi (orwireless LAN) transceiver 1810 which may also operate as a hotspotand/or personal wireless access point. In embodiments, an integratedcomputing device 860 may comprise a separate and/or additional wirelesshotspot 1815. In embodiments, a wireless hotspot may be operate as anwireless access point providing network and/or Internet access toportable electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, music players) or otherelectronic devices (personal computers and/or laptops) in publiclocations, where other wireless access points are not located (or beingutilized for different purposes). If a computing device 1360 comprises awireless hotspot 1815 (or a wireless transceiver 1810 is operating as ahotspot), wireless communication devices (e.g., laptops, tablets,smartphones) may utilize a shading object as a communications hub. Thismay be beneficial in remote locations where no wireless access pointsare located, or in locations where wireless data or voice communicationshave been interrupted. In addition, if a shading object computing deviceand thus a shading object includes a wireless hotspot, image or videostreaming, face-timing, application downloads, or other data intensivefunctions and/or applications may execute and be completed in a shorteramount of time then when using a PAN transceiver 1365.

In embodiments, an integrated computing device 1360 or 1800 may storeand/or execute shading object or umbrella application software, whichmay be referred to as SMARTSHADE and/or SHADECRAFT application software.In embodiments, shading object or umbrella application software may berun and/or executed on a variety of computing devices including acomputing device integrated within a shading object or umbrella. Inembodiments, for example, shading object or modular umbrella applicationsoftware may include computer-readable instructions being stored innon-volatile memories of a computing device, a portable electronicdevice (e.g., a smart phone and/or a tablet), an application server,and/or a web application server, all which interact and communicate witheach other. In embodiments, computer-readable instructions may beretrieved from memories (e.g., non-volatile memories) of theseabove-identified computing devices, loaded into volatile memories andexecuted by processors in the computing device, portable electronicdevice, application server, and/or mobile application server. Inembodiments, a user interface (and/or graphical user interface) for amodular umbrella software application may be presented on a portableelectronic device, although other computing devices could also executeinstructions and present a graphical user interface (e.g., dashboard) toan individual. In embodiments, modular umbrella application software maygenerate and/or display a dashboard with different application (e.g.,process) selections (e.g., weather, health, storage, energy, securityprocesses and/or application processes). In embodiments, modularumbrella application software may control operation of a modularumbrella, communicate with and receive communications from modularumbrella assemblies and/or components, analyze information obtained byassemblies and/or components of a modular umbrella, integrate withexisting home and/or commercial software systems, and/or store personaldata generated by the modular umbrella, and communicate with externaldevices.

In embodiments, a portable electronic device may also comprise a mobileapplication stored in a non-volatile memory. In embodiments, a mobileapplication may be referred to as a SHADECRAFT or a SMARTSHADE mobileapplication. In embodiments, a mobile application (mobile app) maycomprise instructions stored in a non-volatile memory of a portableelectronic device, which can be executed by a processor of a portableelectronic device to perform specific functionality. In embodiments,this functionality may be controlling of, interacting with, and/orcommunicating with a shading object. In embodiments, mobile apps mayprovide users with similar services to those accessed and may beindividual software units with limited or specific function. Inembodiments, applications may be available for download from mobileapplication stores, such as Apple's App Store. In embodiments, mobileapps may be known as an app, a Web app, an online app, an iPhone app ora smartphone app. In embodiments, a sensor device (or other IoT device)may communicate to a server computing device via a cellularcommunications network, a wireless communication network, a wiredcommunication network and/or other communication network. Inembodiments, a sensor device and/or assembly device may capture sensormeasurements, data and/or conditions and may communicate sensormeasurements, data and/or conditions to an IoT enabled server, which mayanalyze, store, route, process and/or communicate such sensormeasurements, data and/or conditions. In embodiments, an Internet ofThings (IoT) may be a network of physical objects—sensors, devices,vehicles, buildings, and other electronic devices. In embodiments, theIoT may sense and/or control objects across existing wirelesscommunication network infrastructure, an existing cellular communicationnetwork, and/or a global communications network infrastructure. Inembodiments, integrating of devices via IoT may create opportunities formore direct integration of a physical world into computer-based systems,which may result in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit.In addition, when an IoT device or server is augmented with sensors andactuators, IoT may be integrated or enabled with a more general class ofcyber-physical systems, e.g., smart grids, smart homes, intelligenttransportation and smart cities. In embodiments, in IoT, for example,may be uniquely identifiable through its embedded computing system butis able to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure. Inembodiments, a device may have a specific IP address in order to beaddressed by other IoT enabled systems and/or devices. In embodiments,an IP address may be provided and/or established by routers and/orInternet service providers. For example, a modular umbrella enabled withIoT capability, because it may incorporate cameras, may be able tocommunicate with or be integrated into a home or office security system.Further, if an individual has a smart home, an individual may be able tocontrol operation of, or communicate with a modular umbrella shadingsystem as part of an existing smart home software application (eithervia a smart phone, mobile communication device, tablet, and/orcomputer). In addition, a modular umbrella shading system, if part ofIoT, may be able to interface with, communicate with and interact withan existing home security system. Likewise, a modular umbrella shadingsystem may be able to be an additional sound reproduction device (e.g.,via speaker(s)) for a home audio and/or video system that is also on theIoT. In addition, a modular umbrella system may be able to integrateitself with an electronic calendar (stored on a computing device) andbecome part of a notification or alarm system because it will identifywhen upcoming meetings are occurring.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system may be a device on an Internetof Things (IoT). In embodiments, an IoT-enabled device may be one ormore cameras, one or more environmental sensors, one or more directionalsensors, one or more movement sensors, one or more motor assemblies, oneor more lighting assemblies and/or one or more solar panels or cells.These objects and/or IoT-enabled devices may comprise items and/ordevice may be embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and networkconnectivity, which enables these physical objects to detect, collect,process and/or exchange data with each other and/or with computingdevices, Shadecraft IoT-enabled servers, and/or third-party IoT enabledservers connected to a modular umbrella system via a globalcommunications network (e.g., an Internet).

In embodiments, IoT devices (e.g., servers, sensors, appliances, motorassemblies, outdoor shading systems, cameras, lighting assemblies,microphones, computing devices, etc.) may communicate with each otherutilizing an Internet Protocol Suite. In embodiments, IoT devices may beassigned an IP address and may utilize IPv6 communication protocol. Inembodiments where security is important, authentication may beestablished utilizing OAUTH (e.g., version 2.0) and Open ID Connectprotocols (e.g., version 1.0). In addition, in embodiments, the IEEE802.15.4 radio standard may allow for reduction in power consumption byIoT devices utilizing RF communications. In embodiments where powerconsumption may need to be decreased, e.g., as in sensors, modularumbrella shading systems, shading systems, cameras, processors),communication with IoT devices may utilize Message Queuing TelemetryTransport (MQTT) which utilizes TCP for its transport layer and utilizesa central MQTT broker to manage and/or route messages among a MQTTnetwork's nodes. In embodiments, communication with IoT devices mayutilize Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) which utilizes UDP asits transport protocol. In embodiments, CoAP may be a client/serverprotocol and allows a one-to-one report/request instruction model. Inembodiments, CoAP also may have accommodations for multi-casttransmission of messages (e.g., one to many report/request instructionmodel).

FIG. 22 illustrates a modular umbrella shading system communicating withan IoT-enabled server or computing device according to embodiments. If amodular umbrella system is integrated into IoT, for example, a modularumbrella system 2250 and/or IoT-enabled devices integrated or installedthereon may be part of a smart home, a smart office and/or a smart city.For example, a smart home may already include one or more IoT-servers2270 (e.g., a NEST server may have a computing device and/or server) forcontrolling operations of IoT devices (alarms, appliances, lights)installed within a smart home, office or building. In embodiments, oneor more modular umbrella systems 2250 (and one or more IoT-enableddevices) may be incorporated into such a smart home, office or building.For example, one or more environmental sensors (e.g., temperature,humidity, air quality, UV radiation, wind speed sensors, and/or adigital barometer) may capture and communicate measurements and/orstatus readings to an IoT-enabled smart home server 2270. Inembodiments, measurements and/or status readings may be communicatedusing a smart home API 2247 (instructions executed by a processor)through a modular umbrella system transceiver 2257 (e.g., local areanetwork wireless (or WiFi) transceiver, cellular transceiver, PANtransceiver) to an IoT-enabled smart home server 2270. In embodiments,temperature and/or humidity measurements from a temperature and/orhumidity sensor 2251 may be communicated to the IoT-enabled smart homeserver, where the IoT-enabled smart home server 2270 may analyze thetemperature and/or humidity measurements and may adjust commands,instructions and messages transmitted to cooling and/or heating systems2280 in a smart home. In embodiments, UV radiation sensor measurementsand/or air quality sensor measurements from a radiation sensor or airquality sensor 2252 may be communicated to an IoT-enabled smart homeserver 2270, the UV measurements may be utilized as input for a personalhealth software application 2273 (e.g., recommend sunscreen or period ofsun exposure recommended for a home resident) and/or may be stored forlater reporting and/or analyzation. In embodiments, air quality sensormeasurements may be utilized 1) as input for a personal health softwareapplication (e.g., recommend whether to take asthma medication, whetherto where mask due to large amount of allergens in air); 2) to triggeralarm conditions within a smart home (e.g., carbon monoxide or other gasreadings too high); and/or 3) by the smart home server to communicatewith emergency service provider servers or computing devices 2282 (e.g.,utility companies, fire departments, police departments) due to overthreshold and dangerous sensor measurements. In embodiments, barometermeasurements from a barometer 2253 may be utilized by IoT-enabled smarthome servers 2270 as input for a weather software application 2274 asone of a plurality of factors utilized for determining and/or predictingweather conditions.

In embodiments, solar cells and/or cells 2254 (and/or a solar chargerassembly) may communicate solar panel status and/or solar powermeasurements to a smart home server 2270 via a smart home applicationprogramming interface (API) 2247 utilizing a transceiver 2257. Inembodiments, a smart home server 2270 may receive solar panel (or cell)status and determine whether to alert a solar cell maintenance computingdevice as to a potential service call. In embodiments, a smart homeserver 2270 may receive solar panel or cell power generationmeasurements and utilize these to identify solar power generated by userof smart home (e.g., add it to any green power generated by smart home).In embodiments, a smart home server 2250 may receive solar powergeneration measurements as well as unused solar power measurements andidentify whether or not to draw excess power from a modular shadingumbrella system.

In embodiments, sensors on one or more motor assemblies (or motorassemblies themselves (if IoT enabled)) 2255 may communicate motorassembly status and/or motor assemblies failure codes to an IoT-enabledsmart home server 2270 via a smart home API 2247 utilizing a transceiver2257. In embodiments, a smart home server 2270 may receive communicatedmotor assembly status and/or failure codes and may contact a maintenancecomputing device 2283 to set up a service call and/or order parts.

In embodiments, one or more IoT-enabled motion sensors 2256 maycommunicate motion sensor status and/or motion sensor measurementsthrough a smart home/office API 2247 resident within one or more memorymodules 2246 on a modular umbrella system. In embodiments, a smart homeserver 2270 may receive communicated motion sensor status and/or motionsensor measurements and analyze status and/or measurements to identifywhen and/or where motion has been detected in the area around the smarthome and/or office. In embodiments, for example, in response to motiondetection measurements, a smart home server 2270 may communicatesignals, messages, instructions and/or commands to other assemblies 2280connected via IoT to a smart home. For example, a smart home server maycommunicate a message and/or command to one or more lighting assembliesin a smart home in an area where a smart umbrella motion sensor hasdetected movement. Similarly, in embodiments, a smart home server maycommunicate a message and/or instruction to an audio receiver and/orspeaker 2280 to emit an alarm and/or spoken phrase in an area wheremotion has been detected. In embodiments, a smart home server 2270 maycommunicate a message, instruction, and/or messages to a modularumbrella system via a smart home API 2247 to initiate and/or activateone or more cameras to capture video, images and/or audio from an areawhere motion has been detected. In such embodiments, for example, one ormore cameras may transmit and/or communicate video, audio and/or imagesto a smart home server via a smart home API. In embodiments, a smarthome server 2270 may communicate received images, video and/or audio toa home or office security system or computing device 2283 for monitoringby security personnel or residents of a smart home, office and/orbuilding. In embodiments, received images, video and/or audio may bestored in memory 2271 of a smart home server 2270. In embodiments, asmart home server 2270 may be located within a smart home or office, ormay be located in a remote and/or third-party location (e.g., acloud-based server).

FIG. 23 illustrates a smart home, smart office or smart buildingIoT-enabled server communicating and transferring information to amodular umbrella shading system according to embodiments. Inembodiments, a smart home, office and/or building IoT-enabled server2330 may also communicate with an IoT-enabled modular umbrella system2320 and/or one or more IoT-enabled devices within a modular umbrellasystem 2320. For example, in embodiments, a smart home, office orbuilding server and/or computing device 2330 software application (e.g.,computer-readable instructions 2331 stored in one or more memory modules2332 executable by one or more processors 2333) may communicate audiofiles or streams, video files or streams, executable software files,software updates and/or revisions, and/or alarm/emergency conditions toa modular umbrella system 2320. For example, a smart home or officeserver or computing device 2330 and/or software application may receivea selection from a user to play a specific digital music playlist from athe smart home or smart office server 2330 or a third party cloud-basedserver (e.g., such as iTunes) or a digital music repository 2335. Inembodiments, digital and/or audio files may be communicated and/ortransferred from a third-party cloud-based server and/or from a smarthome server to a modular umbrella system 2320 via a transceiver 2321(and/or smart home application programming interface (API) or digitalmusic API 2322). In embodiments, one or more processors 2324 maycommunicate audio and/or video files to an audio receiver and/or speaker2323. In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 2320 audio receiverand/or speaker 2323 may reproduce sound communicated and/or streamed indigital and/or analog audio from a smart home server 2330 and/orcloud-based server 2335. In embodiments, video files and/or images filesmay also be communicated to a modular umbrella shading system 2320 andpresented on a display and/or monitor of a modular umbrella shadingsystem 2320.

In embodiments, a smart home, office and/or building server 2330 and/orapplication software stored in one or more memory modules 2332 maytransfer and/or communicate software updates and/or revisions to acomputing device, a circuit board, a microcontroller, a processor and/orelectronic computer assemblies 2327 in a modular umbrella shading system2320. In embodiments, the software revisions and/or updates may becommunicated via a smart home, office or building API 2322 resident inmemory 2326 of a modular umbrella shading system 2320.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 2320 may also be an additionalnode of a smart, office or building that may be utilized to communicatewith emergency service providers and/or first responders in case ofemergency. For example, in embodiments, if a smart home, office orbuilding API 2322 does not receive communications and/or messages from asmart home server 2330 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., oneminute, 30 minutes, and/or one hour), a smart home, office and/orbuilding API 2322 may generate a message to be communicated to a mobilecommunication device 2340 associated with an owner or dweller of a smarthome, office or building. In embodiments, a smart home API 2322 mayutilize whichever modular umbrella shading system transceiver 2321 maystill be operational, e.g., (utilize one or more of a cellulartransceiver, a PAN transceiver and/or a local area network (WiFi or802.11) transceiver 2321 to communicate message). In embodiments, if amobile computing device 2340 of an owner and/or dweller does not respondto the smart home, office or building API 2322 (and/or processor 2324)within a predetermined period of time, a smart home, office or buildingAPI 2322 (and/or processor 2324) may transmit and/or communicate analert message to an internal or third party security server (orcomputing device) and/or emergency service provider servers and/orcomputing devices (e.g., police department, or fire department) 2341 inorder to notify of a potential emergency situation. In embodiments, anemergency and/or crime may be occurring in a certain area of a home anda certain part of a smart home or smart office system may not beaccessible. For example, a robbery may be occurring and a user may notwant to utilize devices inside an office or residence to communicatewith emergency service personnel. In these situations, for example, auser may communicate with a smart home server 2330 (utilizing a mobilecomputing device, a remote device, and/or other electronic devices 2340)which may communicate with a smart home, office or building API 2322 ina modular umbrella system 2320 and request a message and/or command becommunicated to an emergency service provider via a cellulartransceiver, a local area network wireless (WiFi) transceiver, and/or aPAN transceiver. Further, a user may communicate with a smarthome/office API 2322 in a modular umbrella shading system to turn onand/or activate components and/or assemblies 2327 of a modular umbrellasystem 2320 (e.g., a speaker may be activated and/or utilized togenerate an alarm; a lighting system may be activated to surprise orstartle an intruder; a camera may be activated to capture videos from anoutside of an office, home or building).

FIG. 24 illustrates an IoT software application communication with aplurality of modular shading umbrella systems according to embodiments.In embodiments, one or more people or entities may communicate with aplurality of modular shading systems located within a specifiedgeographic area (e.g., a neighborhood, a city, a county, a state and/ora region). In embodiments, an IoT software application (e.g.,computer-readable instructions 2403 stored in one or more memory modules2401 and executed by one or more processors 2402 on a network server, acloud-based server and/or a Shadecraft distributor server 2400 maycommunicate with a plurality of geographically distributed IoT-enabledmodular umbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and/or 2410 and mayreceive information, status and measurements from a modular umbrellashading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410 and/or IoT enabled sensors,devices and/or assemblies. For example, an owner, renter and/or user ofmodular shading systems may communicate with a number of modularumbrella shading systems (e.g., 2-150 modular umbrella shading systems)that may be coupled and/or connected as IoT nodes or devices. Inembodiments, for example, a server or computing device 2400 executingIoT instructions and/or software 2403 may request and/or receiveinformation from sensors located on one or more modular umbrellasystems. The server or computing device 2400 executing IoT instructionsand/or software 2403 may store received environmental sensormeasurements for the one or more modular umbrella shading systems 24062407 2408 2409 and 2410. Additional analysis instructions executing onthe server or computing device 2400 may generate reports presentingsensor readings, geographic locations for the one or more modularumbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410; may identifyenvironmental sensor measurements exceeding specified thresholds; orlack of sensor measurements (or out-of-range sensor measurements) whichmay identify sensor malfunctions.

In embodiments, a server and/or computing device 2400 executing IoTinstructions (or software application 2403) may receive capturedbarometer measurements from barometers installed on and/or integratedinto more than one modular umbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409and 2410. In embodiments, weather reporting/predicting instructionsexecuted by a processor 2402 of a server and/or a computing device 2400may analyze received barometer measurements and location measurements ororientations and utilize these measurements in determining and/orpredicting weather for geographic locations near and/or surrounding themore than one modular umbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and2410.

In embodiments, a server and/or computing device 2400 executing IoTinstructions or software 2403 may receive captured solar powergeneration measurements, solar cells or solar panels status, and/orsolar power consumption measurements for more than one modular umbrellashading systems. In embodiments, solar panels and/or cells and/or amodular umbrella shading system may be IoT enabled. In embodiments,reporting instructions executed by one or more processors 2402 of aserver and/or computing device 2400 may present solar power generationmeasurements and/or solar power consumption measurements for a selectednumber of modular umbrella shading systems. In addition, instructionsexecuted by one or more processors 2402 of a server and/or computingdevice 2400 may compare and analyze solar power generation measurementsand/or solar power generations measurements between different modularumbrella shading systems and may identify, for example, if certainmodular umbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410 are notoperating at peak capacity and/or consuming larger amounts of solarpower. In addition, instructions executed by one or more processors 2402of a server and/or computing device 2400 may receive solar panel statusindicators and assist in identifying whether solar panels or cells aremalfunctioning. In embodiments, instructions executed by one or moreprocessors of a server and/or computing device may also analyze whethera number or a group of solar panels or cells are experiencing a samefailure and/or malfunction.

In embodiments, a server and/or computing device 2400 executing IoTinstructions or software 2403 may receive captured shading system motorassembly status indicators and/or operating parameters and/or capturedshading system computing device status indicators and/or operatingparameters for more than one modular umbrella shading systems 2406 24072408 2409 and 2410. In embodiments, motor assemblies and/or computingdevices (e.g., a Raspberry Pi), or a modular umbrella shading system maybe IoT enabled. In embodiments, reporting instructions executed by oneor more processors 2402 of a server and/or computing device 2400 maypresent 1) motor assembly status indicators and/or operating parametersalong with a geographic location for a selected number of modularumbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410 and/or 2)computing device status indicators and/or operating parameters alongwith a geographic location for a selected number of modular umbrellashading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410. In addition, instructionsexecuted by one or more processors 2402 of a server and/or computingdevice 2400 may receive motor assembly status indicators and/oroperating parameters, and/or computing device status indicators and/oroperating parameters to and assist in identifying whether motorassemblies and/or computing devices in a group of modular umbrellashading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410 are malfunctioning. Inembodiments, instructions executed by one or more processors 2402 of anIoT server and/or computing device 2400 may also analyze whether anumber of motor assemblies and/or computing devices are experiencing asame failure and/or malfunction.

In embodiments, instructions executed by one or more processors 2402 ona server and/or computing device 2400 may be utilized to providesoftware updates, fixes and/or new versions to assemblies, devicesand/or other components of one or more modular umbrella shading system.In embodiments, assemblies, devices and/or other components (e.g.,computing devices, microcontrollers, processors, sensors, printedcircuit boards) and/or a modular umbrella shading system may beIoT-enabled. In embodiments, instructions 2403 executed by the one ormore processors 2402 on a server and/or computing device 2400 maytransfer and/or communicate a software update to selected components onall of a number of modular shading systems. In embodiments, instructionsexecuted by the one or more processors 2402 on a server and/or computingdevice 2400 may transfer and/or communicate software revisions toselected assemblies on a selected number of modular umbrella shadingsystems. This feature may allow a modular umbrella shading system toquickly provide software revisions and/or modifications to owners ofmodular umbrella shading systems 2406 2407 2408 2409 and 2410. Inaddition, additional software-based features, e.g., such as imagerecognition, may be provided quickly to purchasers.

In embodiments, a modular umbrella system 100 may comprise a backupbattery and/or also a memory. In embodiments, a modular umbrella systemmay further comprise a power sensor. If a sensor (e.g., a voltagesensor, a current sensor, a fuse, or other power sensor) determines thata power outage has occurred and/or power has been discontinued from amodular umbrella system 100, a sensor may communicate a signal, messageand/or command to a backup battery to provide power to components and/orassemblies of a modular umbrella system 100. In embodiments, a backupbattery may provide power (e.g., voltage and/or current) to a processorand/or controller, and the processor and/or controller may communicatecommands, messages, instructions and/or signals to shut down and/orretract components and/or assemblies to an original and/or storageposition. In embodiments, a memory may also receive a signal from asensor and/or backup battery, and a memory may load and/or communicateemergency shutdown computer-readable instructions to a processor and/ora controller for execution. For example, emergency shutdowncomputer-readable instructions may cause a processor and/or controllerto communicate commands and/or instructions to first, second and/orthird motor assemblies to move rotate to a starting position, retractarm support assemblies and/or move an upper support assembly to avertical position (or rest position) with respect to a lower supportassembly. In embodiments, shutdown computer-readable instructions maycause a processor and/or controller to communicate commands and/orinstructions to a camera and/or sensors to turn off and/or deactivatethese components.

FIG. 19A illustrates a block diagram illustrating a power down sequencesaccording to embodiments. FIG. 19B illustrates a dataflow diagramillustrating power down sequences according to embodiments. Inembodiments, a core housing 130 may also comprise a gyroscope 1925 andan accelerometer 1930. In embodiments, an upper core housing 140 maycomprise a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer. In embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 19B, a motion control module 1920 (e.g., a motioncontrol PCB) in a modular core housing 130 may comprise aprocessor/controller 1922, a memory 1923, one or more accelerometer 1925and/or one or more gyroscopes 1930. In embodiments, directionalmeasuring devices may refer to accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses,magnetometers and/or GPS devices. In embodiments, a sensor module 1910may comprise a compass, a digital compass and/or a magnetometer 1906, aGPS transceiver 1905, a clock 1907, a microcontroller 1908, and/ormicrocontroller memory 1909.

In embodiments, an emergency shut down button may be depressed 1951 toquickly and/or immediately shut down an umbrella shading system. Inembodiments, motion control circuitry or module 1920 (e.g., a motioncontrol PCB) may receive 1952 an emergency shut down signal or messagecommunicated via an emergency shut down button. In embodiments, motioncontrol circuitry or module 1920 may communicate 1953 instructions to arechargeable battery and/or solar power charging assembly to turn offpower to components, assemblies, circuitry and parts of a modularumbrella shading system. In embodiments, on next power activation of amodular shading umbrella system, motion control circuitry or module 1920may communicate instructions, commands, messages and/or signals to anelevation motor assembly to a specified motor position and/orcommunicate instructions, commands, messages and/or signals to anexpansion to close arm support assemblies (and arms) and to begininitiation of a sun tracking sequence (as described above with respectto FIGS. 3 and/or 4 of the present application.

In embodiments, a power button may communicate and/or transmit 1955 asignal to motion control circuitry or module 1920 to initiate a power onsequence of a modular umbrella shading system. In embodiments, motioncontrol circuitry and/or module 1920 may initiate 1956 a default and/orbeginning sun tracking sequence. In embodiments, a sun tracking sequencemay operate according to a method or process describe in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In embodiments, motion control circuitry or module 1920 may receive 1961automatic shut-down conditions from one or more assemblies and/orsensors. In embodiments, for example, motion control circuitry or module1920 may receive a high wind sensor measurement from a wind sensorand/or sensor module. In embodiments, for example, motion controlcircuitry may receive a high and/or extreme temperature measurement froma temperature sensor and/or sensor module. In embodiments, for example,motion control circuitry 1920 may receive an unacceptable air qualitymeasurement from an air quality sensor and/or sensor module. Inembodiments, for example, motion control circuitry may receive a lowerthan threshold power reading from a rechargeable battery 1934 and/orsolar power charging assembly 1935. In embodiments, motion controlcircuitry or module 1920 may retrieve 1962 automatic shut-downconditions from a memory of motion control circuitry (or another memoryof a modular shading system). In embodiments, these instructions and/orposition measurements may be for an elevation motor, an azimuth motorand/or an expansion motor. In embodiments, these instructions may be tocommunicate with a rechargeable battery 1934 and/or a solar powercharging assembly 1935. In embodiments, motion control circuitry (ormodule) 1920 may communicate 1963 instructions, commands, signals and/ormessages to an elevation motor assembly to cause a modular umbrellashading system to move to a specified safe position (e.g., such as a 90degree elevation). In embodiments, motion control circuitry (or module)1920 may communicate 1964 instructions, commands, signals and/ormessages to an expansion motor assembly to move arm support assemblies(and arms) to a specified position (e.g., a closed position) that issafe in extreme weather and/or power situations. In embodiments, motioncontrol circuitry (or module 1920) may communicate 1965 instructions,commands, signals, and/or messages to a rechargeable battery 1934 and/ora solar power charging assembly 1935 to turn off power (and/or shut downpower) to assemblies, components and/or devices of a modular umbrellashading system. In embodiments, motion control circuitry (or module1920) may communicate instructions, commands, signals and/or messages toan azimuth motor assembly to move to a safe position although this maybe optional. This is an improvement over existing umbrella systems whichare not able to move a modular umbrella shading system to a safeelevation motor setting and to close arms utilizing an expansion motorassembly when dangerous and/or threatening conditions are occurring.

FIG. 20A illustrates a shading system including an artificialintelligence engine and/or artificial intelligence interface. A shadingsystem including artificial intelligence (AI) 2000 include a shadingelement or shade 2003, a shading support 2005 and a shading devicehousing 2008. In embodiments, a shading element or shade 2003 mayprovide shade to keep a shading device housing 2008 from overheating. Inembodiments, a shading device housing 2008 may be coupled and/orconnected to a shading support 2005. In embodiments, a shading support2005 may be coupled to a shading device housing 2008. In embodiments, ashading support 2005 may support a shade or shading element 2003 andmove it into position with respect to a shading device housing 2008. Inthis illustrative embodiment of FIG. 20, a shading device housing 2008may be utilized as a base, mount and/or support for a shading element orshade 2003. In embodiments, a shading support may be simplified and maynot have a tilting assembly (as in FIGS. 1 and 2 where an upper housingof a core module assembly is rotated about (or moved about) a lowerhousing of a core module assembly). In embodiments, a shading supportmay be simplified and not have a core assembly. In embodiments, ashading support 2005 may also not include an expansion and sensorassembly. Illustratively, in embodiments, a shading support 2005 may notcomprise an integrated computing device and/or may not have sensors. Inembodiments, a shading element or shade 2003 or a shade support 2005 maycomprise one or more sensors (e.g., environmental sensors). For example,in embodiments, sensors may be a temperature sensor, a wind sensor, ahumidity sensor, an air quality sensor, and/or an ultraviolet radiationsensor. In embodiments, a shading support may not include an audiosystem (e.g., a speaker and/or an audio/video transceiver) and may notinclude lighting assemblies. In embodiments, a shading housing 2008 maynot include one or more lighting assemblies.

In embodiments, a shading device housing 2008 may comprise a computingdevice 2020. In embodiments, a shading device housing 2008 may compriseone or more processors/controllers 2027, one or more memory modules2028, one or more microphones (or audio receiving devices) 2029, one ormore PAN transceivers 2030 (e.g., Bluetooth transceivers), one or morewireless transceivers 2031 (e.g., WiFi or other 802.11 transceivers),and/or one or more cellular transceivers 2032 (e.g., EDGE transceiver,4G, 3G, CDMA and/or GSM transceivers). In embodiments, the processors,memory, transceivers and/or microphones may be integrated into acomputing device 2020, where in other embodiments, a single-boardcomputing device may not be utilized. In embodiments, one or more memorymodules 2028 may contain computer-readable instructions, thecomputer-readable instructions being executed by one or moreprocessors/controllers 2027 to perform certain functionality. Inembodiments, the computer-readable instructions may comprise anartificial intelligence API 2040. In embodiments, an artificialintelligence API 2040 may allow communications between a shading devicehousing 2008 and a third party artificial intelligence engine housed ina local and/or remote server and/or computing device 2050. Inembodiments, an AI API 2040 may be a voice recognition AI API, which maybe able to communicate sound files (e.g., analog or digital sound files)to a third party voice recognition AI server. In embodiments, a voicerecognition AI server may be an Amazon Alexa, Echo, Echo Dot and/or aGoogle Now server. In embodiments, a shading device housing 2008 maycomprise one or more microphones 2029 to capture audio (andspecifically) audible and/or voice commands spoken by users and/oroperators of shading systems 2000. In embodiments, computer-readableinstructions executed by one or more processors 2027 may receivecaptured sounds and create analog and/or digital audio filescorresponding to spoken audio commands (e.g., open shading system,rotate shading system, elevate shading system, select music to play onshading system, turn one lighting assemblies). In embodiments, an AI API2040 may communicate audio files to an external AI server 2050. Inembodiments, a shading device housing 2008 may communicate generatedaudio files to external AI servers 2050 via or utilizing one or more PANtransceivers 2030, one or more wireless local area network transceivers2031, and/or one or more cellular transceivers 2032. In other words,communications with an external AI server 2050 may occur utilizing PANtransceivers 2030 (and protocols). Alternatively, communications with anexternal AI server 2050 may occur utilizing a local area network (802.11or WiFi) transceiver 2031. Alternatively, or in combination with,communications with an external AI server 2050 may occur utilizing acellular transceiver 2032 (e.g., utilizing 3G and/or 4G or othercellular communication protocols). In embodiments, a shading devicehousing 2008 may utilize more than one microphone 2029 to allow captureof voice commands from a number of locations and/or orientations withrespect to a shading system 2000 (e.g., in front of, behind a shadingsystem, and/or at a 45 degree angle with respect to a support assembly2005).

FIG. 20B illustrates a block and dataflow diagram of communicationsbetween a shading system and/or one or more external AI serversaccording to embodiments. A shading system 2070 may communicate with anexternal AI server 2075 and/or additional content servers 2080 viawireless and/or wired communications networks. In embodiments, a usermay speak 2091 a command (e.g., turn on lights, or rotate shadingsystem) which is captured as an audio file and received. In embodiments,an AI API 2040 may communicate and/or transfer 2092 an audio file(utilizing a transceiver—PAN, WiFi/802.11, or cellular) to an externalor third-party AI server 2075. In embodiments, an external AI server2075 may comprise a voice recognition engine or module 2085, a commandengine module 2086, a third party content interface 2087 and/or thirdparty content formatter 2088. In embodiments, an external AI server 2075may receive 2092 one or more audio files and a voice recognition engineor module 2085 may convert received audio file to a device command(e.g., shading system commands, computing device commands) andcommunicate 2093 device commands to a command engine module or engine2086. In embodiments, if a voice command is for operation of a shadingsystem 2000, a command engine or module 2086 may communicate and/ortransfer 2094 a generated command, message, and/or instruction to ashading system 2000. In embodiments, a shading system 2000 may receivethe communicated command, communicate and/or transfer 2095 thecommunicated command to a controller/processor 2071. In embodiments, thecontroller/processor 2071 may generate 2096 a command, message, signaland/or instruction to cause an assembly, component, system or devices2072 to perform an action requested in the original voice command (openor close shade element, turn on camera, activate solar panels).

In embodiments, a user may request actions to be performed utilizing ashading system's microphones and/or transceivers that may requireinterfacing with third party content servers (e.g., NEST, e-commercesite selling sun care products, e-commerce site selling parts ofumbrellas or shading systems, communicating with online digital musicstores (e.g., iTunes), home security servers, weather servers and/ortraffic servers). For example, in embodiments, a shading system user mayrequest 1) traffic conditions from a third party traffic server; 2)playing of a playlist from a user's digital music store accounts; 3)ordering a replacement skin and/or spokes/blades arms for a shadingsystem. In these embodiments, additional elements and steps may be addedto previously described method and/or process.

For example, in embodiments, a user may speak 2091 a command or desiredaction (execute playlist, order replacement spokes/blades, and/or obtaintraffic conditions from a traffic server) which is captured as an audiofile and received at an AI API 2040 stored in one or more memories of ashading system housing 2070. As discussed above, in embodiments, an AIAPI 2040 may communicate and/or transfer 2092 an audio file utilizing ashading system's transceiver to an external AI server 2075. Inembodiments, an external AI server 2075 may receive one or more audiofiles and a voice recognition engine or module 2085 may convert 2093received audio file to a query request (e.g., traffic condition request,e-commerce order, retrieve and stream digital music playlist).

In embodiments, an external AI server may communicate and/or transfer2097 a query request to a third party server (e.g., traffic conditionsserver (e.g., SIGALERT or Maze), an e-commerce server (e.g., a RITE-AIDor SHADECRAFT SERVER, or Apple iTunes SERVER) to obtain third partygoods and/or services. In embodiments, a third party content server 2080(a communication and query engine or module 2081) may retrieve 2098services from a database 2082. In embodiments, a third party contentserver 2080 may communicate services queried by the user (e.g., trafficconditions or digital music files to be streamed) 2099 to an external AIserver 2075. In embodiments, a third party content server 2080 may orderrequested goods for a user and then retrieve and communicate 2099 atransaction status to an external AI server 2075. In embodiments, acontent communication module 2087 may receive communicated services(e.g., traffic conditions or streamed digital music files) ortransaction status updates (e.g., e-commerce receipts) and maycommunicate 2101 the requested services (e.g., traffic conditions orstreamed digital music files) or the transaction status updates to ashading system 2070. Traffic services may be converted to an audiosignal, and an audio signal may be reproduced utilizing an audio system2083. Digital music files may be communicated and/or streamed directedto an audio system 2083 because there is no conversion necessary.E-commerce receipts may be converted and communicated to speaker 2083for reading aloud. E-commerce receipts may also be transferred tocomputing device in a shading system 2070 for storage and utilizationlater.

In embodiments, computer-readable instructions in a memory module of ashading system may be executed by a processor and may comprise a voicerecognition module or engine 2042 and in this embodiment, voicerecognition may be performed at an intelligent shading system 2000without utilizing a cloud-based server. In embodiments, a shading system2070 may receive 2103 the communicated command, communicate and/ortransfer 2104 the communicated command to a controller/processor 2071.In embodiments, the controller/processor 2071 may generate and/orcommunicate 2096 a command, message, signal and/or instruction to causean assembly, component, system or device 2072 to perform an actionrequested in the original voice command

Referring back to FIG. 20A, in embodiments, a mobile computing device2010 may communicate with a shading system with an artificialintelligence capabilities. In embodiments, a user may communicate with amobile computing or communications device 2010 by a spoken command intoa microphone. In embodiments, a mobile computing or communicationsdevice 2010 communicates a digital or analog audio file to a processor2027 and/or AI API 2040 in a shading device housing. In embodiments, amobile computing or communications device 2010 may also convert theaudio file into a textual file for easier conversion from an external orintegrated AI server or computing device 2050.

FIGS. 20A and 20B describe a shading system having a shading element orshade, shading support and/or shading housing. A shading housing such asthe one described above may be attached to any shading system and mayprovide artificial intelligence functionality and services. Inembodiments, a shading system may be an autonomous and/or automatedshading system having an integrated computing device, sensors and othercomponents and/or assemblies, and may have artificial intelligencefunctionality and services provided utilizing an AI API stored in amemory of a shading housing.

FIG. 21 illustrates an intelligent shading system comprising a shadinghousing wherein a shading housing comprises an AI API. In embodiments, ashading system 2100 comprises an expansion module 160, a core module 130and a shading housing 2110. In embodiments, an expansion module 160 maycomprise one or more spoke support assemblies 163, one or moredetachable arms/spokes 164, one or more solar panels and/or fabric 165,one or more LED lighting assemblies 166 and/or one or more speakers 167.In embodiments, an expansion module 160 may be coupled and/or connectedto a core assembly module 130. In embodiments, a coupling and/orconnection may be made via a universal connection. In embodiments, acore module assembly 130 may comprise an upper assembly 140, a sealedconnection 141 and/or a lower assembly 142. In embodiments, a coremodule assembly 130 may comprise one or more rechargeable batteries 135,a motion control board 134, an expansion motor 133 and/or an integratedcomputing device 136. In embodiments, a core module assembly 130 maycomprise one or more transceivers (e.g., a PAN transceiver 197, a WiFitransceiver 196 and/or a cellular transceiver). In embodiments, a coremodule assembly 130 may be coupled and/or connected to a shading housing2110. In embodiments, a universal connector may be a connector and/orcoupler between a core module assembly 130 and a shading housing 2110.

In embodiments, a shading housing 2110 may comprise a shading systemconnector 2113, one or more memory modules 2115, one or moreprocessors/controllers 2125, one or more microphones 2133, one or moretransceivers (e.g., a PAN transceiver 2130, a wireless local areanetwork (e.g., WiFi) transceiver 2131, and/or a cellular transceiver2132), and an artificial intelligence (“AI”) Application programminginterface (“API”) 2120. In embodiments, one or more microphones 2133receives a spoken command and captures/converts the command into adigital and/or analog audio file. In embodiments, one or moreprocessors/controllers 2125 interacts and executes AI API 2120instructions (stored in one or more memory modules 2115) andcommunicates and/or transfers audio files to a third party AI server(e.g., an external AI server or computing device). In embodiments, an AIAPI 2120 may communicate and/or transfer audio files via and/orutilizing a PAN transceiver 2130, a local area network (e.g., WiFi)transceiver 2131, and/or a cellular transceiver 2132. In embodiment, anAI API may receive communications, data, measurements, commands,instructions and/or files from an external AI server or computing device(as described in FIGS. 21 and 22) and perform and/or execute actions inresponses to these communications.

In embodiments, a shading system and/or umbrella may communicate via oneor more transceivers. This provides a shading system with an ability tocommunicate with external computing devices, servers and/or mobilecommunications device in almost any situation. In embodiments, a shadingsystem with a plurality of transceivers (e.g., a PAN transceiver, alocal area network (e.g., WiFi) transceiver, and/or a cellulartransceiver) may communicate when one or more communication networks aredown, experiencing technical difficulties, inoperable and/or notavailable. For example, a WiFi wireless router may be malfunctioning anda shading system with a plurality of transceivers may be able tocommunicate with external devices via a PAN transceiver and/or acellular transceiver. In addition, an area may be experiencing heavyrains or weather conditions and cellular communications may be downand/or not available (and thus cellular transceivers may be inoperable).In these situations, a shading system with one or more transceivers maycommunicate with external computing devices via the operatingtransceivers. Since most shading systems may not have any communicationtransceivers, the shading systems described herein is an improvementover existing shading systems that have no communication capabilitiesand/or limited communication capabilities.

In embodiments, a base assembly or module may also a base motorcontroller PCB, a base motor, a drive assembly and/or wheels. Inembodiments, a base assembly may move to track movement of the sun, windconditions, and/or an individual's commands. In embodiments, a shadingobject movement control PCB may send commands, instructions, and/orsignals to a base assembly identifying desired movements of a baseassembly. In embodiments, a shading computing device system (including aSMARTSHADE and/or SHADECRAFT application) or a desktop computerapplication may transmit commands, instructions, and/or signals to abase assembly identifying desired movements of a base assembly. Inembodiments, a base motor controller PCB may receive commands,instructions, and/or signals and may communicate commands and/or signalsto a base motor. In embodiments, a base motor may receive commandsand/or signals, which may result in rotation of a motor shaft. Inembodiments, a motor shaft may be connected, coupled, or indirectlycoupled (through gearing assemblies or other similar assemblies) to oneor more drive assemblies. In embodiments, a drive assembly may be one ormore axles, where one or more axles may be connected to wheels. Inembodiments, for example, a base assembly may receive commands,instructions and/or signal to rotate in a counterclockwise directionapproximately 15 degrees. In embodiments, for example, a motor outputshaft would rotate one or more drive assemblies rotate a base assemblyapproximately 15 degrees. In embodiments, a base assembly may comprisemore than one motor and/or more than one drive assembly. In thisillustrative embodiment, each of motors may be controlled independentlyfrom one another and may result in a wider range or movements and morecomplex movements.

In embodiments, a base assembly 110 and/or first extension assembly 120may be comprised of stainless steel. In embodiments, a base assembly 110and/or first extension assembly 120 may be comprised of a plastic and/ora composite material, or a combination of materials listed above. Inembodiments, a base assembly 110 and/or first extension assembly 120 maybe comprised and/or constructed by a biodegrable material. Inembodiments, a base assembly 110 and/or first extension assembly 120 maybe tubular with a hollow inside except for shelves, ledges, and/orsupporting assemblies. In embodiments, a base assembly 110 and/or firstextension assembly 120 may have a coated inside surface. In embodiments,a base assembly 110 and/or first extension assembly 120may have acircular circumference or a square circumference.

In embodiments, a core module assembly 130 may be comprised of stainlesssteel. In embodiments, a core module assembly 130 may be comprised of ametal, plastic and/or a composite material, or a combination thereof. Inembodiments, a core module assembly 130 may be comprised of wood, steel,aluminum or fiberglass. In embodiments, a shading object center supportassembly may be a tubular structure, e.g., may have a circular or anoval circumference. In embodiments, a core module assembly 130 may be arectangular or triangular structure with a hollow interior. Inembodiments, a hollow interior of a core module assembly 130 may have ashelf or other structures for holding or attaching assemblies, PCBs,and/or electrical and/or mechanical components. In embodiments, forexample components, PCBs, and/or motors may be attached or connected toan interior wall of a shading object center assembly.

In embodiments, a plurality of spokes/arms/blades 164 and/or spoke/armsupport assemblies 163 may be composed of materials such as plastics,plastic composites, fabric, metals, woods, composites, or anycombination thereof. In an example embodiment, spokes/arms/blades 164and/or spoke/arm support assemblies 163 may be made of a flexiblematerial. In an alternative example embodiment, spokes/arms/blades 164and/or spokes/arm support assemblies 163 may be made of a stiffermaterial.

Some discussions may be focused on single shading objects, intelligentumbrellas, and/or intelligent shading charging systems. However,descriptions included herein may be applicable to multiple shadingobjects, intelligent umbrellas and/or intelligent shading chargingsystems. In addition, while discussions may be directed to a softwareapplication or process executing on a computing device of a shadingobject, intelligent umbrella and/or intelligent shading charging systemand controlling one shading object, intelligent umbrella and/orintelligent shading charging system, the descriptions also apply tocontrolling and/or communicating with multiple shading objects,intelligent umbrellas and/or intelligent charging systems.

A computing device may be a server, a computer, a laptop computer, amobile computing device, a mobile communications device, and/or atablet. A computing device may, for example, include a desktop computeror a portable device, such as a cellular telephone, a smart phone, adisplay pager, a radio frequency (RF) device, an infrared (IR) device, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, a set top box, a wearable computer, anintegrated device combining various features, such as features of theforgoing devices, or the like.

Internal architecture of a computing device includes one or moreprocessors (also referred to herein as CPUs), which interface with atleast one computer bus. Also interfacing with computer bus arepersistent storage medium/media, network interface, memory, e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM), run-time transient memory, read only memory (ROM),etc., media disk drive interface, an interface for a drive that can readand/or write to media including removable media such as floppy, CD-ROM,DVD, etc., media, display interface as interface for a monitor or otherdisplay device, keyboard interface as interface for a keyboard, mouse,trackball and/or pointing device, and other interfaces not shownindividually, such as parallel and serial port interfaces, a universalserial bus (USB) interface, and the like.

Memory, in a computing device and/or a modular umbrella shading system,interfaces with computer bus so as to provide information stored inmemory to processor during execution of software programs such as anoperating system, application programs, device drivers, and softwaremodules that comprise program code or logic, and/or computer-executableprocess steps, incorporating functionality described herein, e.g., oneor more of process flows described herein. CPU first loadscomputer-executable process steps or logic from storage, storagemedium/media, removable media drive, and/or other storage device. CPUcan then execute the stored process steps in order to execute the loadedcomputer-executable process steps. Stored data, e.g., data stored by astorage device, can be accessed by CPU during the execution ofcomputer-executable process steps.

Non-volatile storage medium/media is a computer readable storagemedium(s) that can be used to store software and data, e.g., anoperating system and one or more application programs, in a computingdevice or storage subsystem of an intelligent shading object. Persistentstorage medium/media also be used to store device drivers, such as oneor more of a digital camera driver, monitor driver, printer driver,scanner driver, or other device drivers, web pages, content files,metadata, playlists and other files. Non-volatile storage medium/mediacan further include program modules/program logic in accordance withembodiments described herein and data files used to implement one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure.

A computing device or a processor or controller may include or mayexecute a variety of operating systems, including a personal computeroperating system, such as a Windows, iOS or Linux, or a mobile operatingsystem, such as iOS, Android, or Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, GooglePhone, Amazon Phone, or the like. A computing device, or a processor orcontroller in an intelligent shading controller may include or mayexecute a variety of possible applications, such as a softwareapplications enabling communication with other devices, such ascommunicating one or more messages such as via email, short messageservice (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), including via anetwork, such as a social network, including, for example, Facebook,LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, or Google+, to provide only a few possibleexamples. A computing device or a processor or controller in anintelligent shading object may also include or execute an application tocommunicate content, such as, for example, textual content, multimediacontent, or the like. A computing device or a processor or controller inan intelligent shading object may also include or execute an applicationto perform a variety of possible tasks, such as browsing, searching,playing various forms of content, including locally stored or streamedcontent. The foregoing is provided to illustrate that claimed subjectmatter is intended to include a wide range of possible features orcapabilities. A computing device or a processor or controller in anintelligent shading object may also include imaging softwareapplications for capturing, processing, modifying and transmitting imagefiles utilizing the optical device (e.g., camera, scanner, opticalreader) within a mobile computing device.

Network link typically provides information communication usingtransmission media through one or more networks to other devices thatuse or process the information. For example, network link may provide aconnection through a network (LAN, WAN, Internet, packet-based orcircuit-switched network) to a server, which may be operated by a thirdparty housing and/or hosting service. For example, the server may be theserver described in detail above. The server hosts a process thatprovides services in response to information received over the network,for example, like application, database or storage services. It iscontemplated that the components of system can be deployed in variousconfigurations within other computer systems, e.g., host and server.

For the purposes of this disclosure a computer readable medium storescomputer data, which data can include computer program code that isexecutable by a computer, in machine-readable form. By way of example,and not limitation, a computer-readable medium may comprise computerreadable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data, orcommunication media for transient interpretation of code-containingsignals. Computer readable storage media, as used herein, refers tophysical or tangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includeswithout limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for thetangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data. Computer readablestorage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical ormaterial medium which can be used to tangibly store the desiredinformation or data or instructions and which can be accessed by acomputer or processor.

For the purposes of this disclosure a system or module is a software,hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof), process orfunctionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates theprocesses, features, and/or functions described herein (with or withouthuman interaction or augmentation). A module can include sub-modules.Software components of a module may be stored on a computer readablemedium. Modules may be integral to one or more servers, or be loaded andexecuted by one or more servers. One or more modules may be grouped intoan engine or an application.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as suchare not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments andexamples. In other words, functional elements being performed by singleor multiple components, in various combinations of hardware and softwareor firmware, and individual functions, may be distributed among softwareapplications at either the client or server or both. In this regard, anynumber of the features of the different embodiments described herein maybe combined into single or multiple embodiments, and alternateembodiments having fewer than, or more than, all of the featuresdescribed herein are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or inpart, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or tobecome known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations arepossible in achieving the functions, features, interfaces andpreferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of the presentdisclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying out thedescribed features and functions and interfaces, as well as thosevariations and modifications that may be made to the hardware orsoftware or firmware components described herein as would be understoodby those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

While certain exemplary techniques have been described and shown hereinusing various methods and systems, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, andequivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subjectmatter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter withoutdeparting from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it isintended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particularexamples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may alsoinclude all implementations falling within the scope of the appendedclaims, and equivalents thereof.

1. An intelligent umbrella system, comprising: one or more shadingelements; a support assembly, coupled to the one or more shadingelements, to provide support for the one or more shading elements; abase assembly, coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact witha surface; one or more microphones to capture spoken or audio commands;one or more processors; one or more memory modules; one or more wirelesscommunication transceivers; wherein computer-readable instructionsstored in the one or more memory modules are executed by the one or moreprocessors to: convert the captured audio commands into audio files; andperform voice recognition on the converted audio files to generateinstructions or commands based, at least in part, on the converted audiofiles.
 2. The intelligent umbrella system of claim 1, wherein a baseassembly comprises the one or more processors, the one or more memorymodules, and the computer-readable instructions.
 3. The intelligentumbrella system of claim 1, further comprising an audio receiver and aspeaker, wherein the computer-readable instructions executed by the oneor more processors retrieve digital music files and communicated theretrieved digital musical files are communicated to the audio receiverand speaker for playback.
 4. The modular umbrella system of claim 1,further comprising one or more environmental sensors, wherein the audiocommand requests sensor measurements from the one or more environmentalsensors, and the computer-readable instructions are executed by the oneor more processors to generate and communicate the instructions orcommands to the one or more environmental sensors to capture sensormeasurements and receive the captured sensor measurements from the oneor more environmental sensors.
 5. The modular umbrella system of claim1, further comprising one or more motor assemblies to move a supportassembly or a shading element, wherein the audio command requestsmovement of the one or more motor assemblies, and wherein thecomputer-readable instructions are executed by the one or moreprocessors to generate and communicate the instructions or commands tothe one or more motor assemblies to move the support assembly or theshading element to adjust a position or orientation of the supportassembly or shading element.
 6. The modular umbrella system of claim 1,further comprising one or more motor assemblies to move a supportassembly or a shading element, wherein the audio command requestsinitiation of a sun tracking routine, and wherein the computer-readableinstructions are executed by the one or more processors to generate andcommunicate the instructions and/or commands to the one or more motorassemblies to move the support assembly or the shading element to adjusta position or orientation of the support assembly or shading element. 7.The intelligent umbrella system of claim 1, further comprising one ormore imaging devices, wherein the audio command requests activation ofthe one or more imaging devices, and computer-readable instructions areexecuted by the one or more processors to generate and communicate theinstructions and/or commands to the one or more imaging devices tocapture images and/or video of an area surrounding the intelligentumbrella system of claim 1, to receive the images and/or video from theone or more imaging devices and to store the images and/or video in theone or more memory devices.
 8. The intelligent umbrella system of claim1, further comprising an audio transceiver and a speaker, wherein theaudio command requests an alarm be generated, and wherein thecomputer-readable instructions are executed by the one or moreprocessors to generate and communicate the instructions and/or commandsto the audio transceiver to play an alarm file, where the audiotransceiver converts the alarm file to an alarm sound which isreproduced by the speaker.
 9. The intelligent umbrella system of claim1, further comprising one or more lighting assemblies, wherein the audiocommand requests the one or more lighting assemblies to be activated,and wherein the computer-readable instructions are executed by the oneor more processors to generate and communicate the instructions and/orcommands to the one or more lighting assemblies to activate the one ormore lighting assemblies.
 10. An intelligent umbrella system,comprising: one or more shading elements; a support assembly, coupled tothe one or more shading elements, to provide support for the one or moreshading elements; a base assembly, coupled to the support assembly, toprovide contact with a surface; one or more Internet of Things (IoT)devices, the one or more IoT devices being positioned within the baseassembly, the support assembly, or one or more shading elements one ormore processors; one or more memory devices; one or more wirelesscommunication transceivers; wherein computer-readable instructionsstored in the one or more memory devices are executed by the one or moreprocessors to: communicate with the one or more IoT devices to receiveimages and/or measurements from the one or more IoT devices.
 11. Theintelligent umbrella of claim 10, wherein the one or more IoT devicescomprises one or more imaging devices, the one or more imaging devicesto capture video or images of an area around the intelligent umbrella.12. The intelligent umbrella of claim 11, wherein the computer-readableinstructions executable by the one or more processors further to receivethe captured video or images from the one or more imaging devices andcommunicate the captured video or images, via the one or more wirelesscommunication transceivers to an external computing devices foranalysis.
 13. The intelligent umbrella of claim 10, wherein the one ormore IoT devices comprises one or more environmental sensors, the one ormore environmental sensors to capture sensor measurements ofenvironmental conditions in an area surrounding the intelligent umbrellaand to store the sensor measurements in the one or more memory modules.14. The intelligent umbrella of claim 13, the computer-readableinstructions further being executable by the one or more processors toreceive the sensor measurements and communicate the sensor measurementsto an external computing device.
 15. The intelligent umbrella of claim14, a portion of the computer-readable instructions comprising a smarthome application programming interface (API), the smart home API beingexecutable by the one or more processors to communicate, via the one ormore wireless communication transceivers, to the external computingdevice, the external computing device comprising computer-readableinstructions executable by one or more processors to run a smart homesoftware application.
 16. The intelligent umbrella of claim 10, the oneor more IoT-enabled devices to each comprise an Internet Protocol (IP)address in order to be located by other IoT-enabled devices.
 17. Anintelligent umbrella system, comprising: one or more shading elements; asupport assembly, coupled to the one or more shading elements, toprovide support for the one or more shading elements; a base assembly,coupled to the support assembly, to provide contact with a surface; oneor more Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the one or more IoT devicesbeing positioned within the base assembly, the support assembly, or oneor more shading elements; one or more processors; one or more memorydevices; one or more wireless communication transceivers; whereincomputer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devicesare executed by the one or more processors to: receive instructions orcommands from IoT-enabled devices located externally and separate fromthe intelligent umbrella requesting one or more components or assembliesto perform specific actions.
 18. The intelligent shading system of claim17, the one or more IoT-enabled devices comprising one or moreenvironmental sensors, the received instructions or commands to requestthe one or more environmental sensors to capture environmentalmeasurements of an area surrounding the intelligent umbrella, thecomputer-readable instructions being further executable by the one ormore processors to: receive captured environmental measurements from theone or more environmental sensors, and communicate the receivedenvironmental measurements to the external and separate IoT-enabledevices.
 19. The intelligent shading system of claim 17, the one or moreIoT-enabled devices comprising one or more imaging devices, the receivedinstructions or commands to request the one or more imaging devices tocapture images or videos of an area surrounding the intelligentumbrella, the computer-readable instructions being further executable bythe one or more processors to: receive the captured images or videosfrom the one or more imaging devices, and communicate the receivedimages or videos to the external and separate IoT-enabled devices. 20.The intelligent shading system of claim 17, the one or more IoT-enableddevices to comprise an Internet Protocol (IP) address to allow theexternal and separate IoT-enabled devices to communicate with the one ormore IoT devices.